When it comes to the term ‘man’s best friend’, dogs have shown their amazing behavior towards babies, proving to be gentle, sweet, and responsible siblings. An example of this is Brutus, the devoted brother to Kayden, who is the youngest member of the Michalek family.
Living in Northern California with the Michalek family, Brutus is a warm and playful 3-year-old Bullmastiff. Despite his tough appearance, he has a soft spot for kids and often engages in play with them at the park. However, being the only child in the family, his reaction to the arrival of a new sibling was uncertain. Bonnie Michalek, Brutus’ human, shared her concerns saying, “He’s always loved kids. Every time he’s heard kids outside laughing he gets excited.”
Interestingly, Brutus sensed Bonnie’s pregnancy before anyone else did. On the nights when Bonnie’s husband was away, Brutus would not leave her side and refused to stay in his crate. This behavior continued until Bonnie’s husband returned home. When Bonnie finally gave birth to Kayden after nine months, the Michaleks ensured that Brutus was involved in the process. Bonnie recalls, “Brutus knew I was pregnant before I did β he definitely sensed it before I knew. On the nights my husband was working, Brutus refused to be in his crate. Looking back, I thought he was just being a brat but really he was trying to protect me.”
During the transition of bringing the baby home, Brutus stayed at Bonnie’s parents’ house. When they picked him up, Bonnie ensured to give him ample attention before introducing him to Kayden. Upon meeting the baby, Brutus immediately showered him with kisses and cuddles. From that moment, a special bond was formed, and Brutus took on the role of babysitter and bodyguard for Kayden. Whenever Kayden cries, Brutus brings him his favorite worn-out fluffball.
The yellow fluffball is Brutus’ most cherished toy, and he believes that giving it to Kayden will make him feel better and stop crying. With Kayden’s arrival, everyone in the family is experiencing growth and learning. And Brutus himself has discovered that there are other types of toys in the world that aren’t meant for dogs.
