She took to Facebook asking neighbors if they were aware of the boy's identity so she could let him know he was welcome in her home.
"Every now and then when he rides his bike he will quickly come and love on my dog or play fetch real quick, but always leaves quick like he doesn't know if he should be here!" Mallet wrote. "I'd like to tell him he's welcome to stay and play, she loves the attention!"
Several commenters eventually pointed Mallet towards the boy's mother Ginger Breaux, who confirmed his identity.
"Josh talks about your dog all the time!" Breaux wrote. "Every time we pass he looks to see if she was sitting where he could see her. Just didn't know he was doing things like this."
She added that she felt mixed feelings about her son's behavior, but ultimately admired her son's love for animals.
Mallet also shared her admiration for Josh's love for animals and assured Breaux that her son was welcome to visit the dog whenever he would like to.
"Hope this sweet little boy Josh continues to come play and love up on Dutchess!" Mallet wrote. "A dog is a friend for life!"
