Help a writer out. I need a word or short phrase that means not very talkative … without implying unfriendliness. Taciturn has the right denotation but the connotation is a grumpy one.

Context… I wrote: 'With her talking dog and an infuriatingly literal AI by her side, Lem must'…

My editor says 'talking dog' makes it sound like a kids' story.

The dog in question doesn't say much. And she's still very much just a dog. And a very good girl.

Suggestions? Ideas?

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