Because Strange is completely not subtle about anything, it would be hard to miss what he means by other things his size. Like Shura's desperate enough to move in just so the dragonet has a playmate.

"You can do plenty. Give him something to try and hunt. Bugs are easy to find, and he'll get a lunch out of it."

Aconite is obedient and let's Strange pull her off, but not before she lets out a sad little chirp in protest. Now she's clinging to his hand because she doesn't know where he's taking her?? His shoulder is fine!! She can hang out there.