Although Zelda is never particularly affectionate with the animals in the house, she does happen to enjoy them. It's no different from living with familiars, on the surface at least, and besides, the dogs and Salem were a step up from Hilda's spiders and Ambrose's mouse.

"No, as a mortal you are regretfully useless." It manages to sound affectionate and like an insult simultaneously. "Sabrina and I will have to do all the heavy lifting, I'm afraid. But if you do see the flame falter or see anything strange occur around the house, you have to tell me immediately."