What does the dog in the picture look like?
(1) Is it washed out but still barking?
(2) Is it done barking and looking really pooped?
If (2) is true, the simple past is due, because it suggests the dog’s job done. If (1) is true, the past continuous would be better, because the dog’s job is potentially not done yet.
An aside: It’s the host who welcomes a guest. Never, I repeat NEVER, the other way around.