Raising small babies alongside large furry companions can be a challenge, especially when bringing a new baby home for the first time. Many parents feel anxious, wondering how their dogs will react and if they’ll be gentle enough around the small, fragile baby. These are all valid concerns since we can’t predict their reactions.
However, sometimes our furry companions surprise us in the best way. A family from Boston experienced this first-hand when their rescue dogs not only adored their new baby girl but also quickly formed an amazing bond that melts everyone’s heart with joy.
The Bond Like No Other
Source: @allison_ack
When Allison Acherman became pregnant, her two dogs, Mason and Breck, immediately knew something was happening. They refused to leave her side and loved to nap on her belly, probably listening to the baby’s heartbeat. When they finally brought the little girl home, Mason and Breck were so excited but also very loving and gentle. They instinctively knew how to behave around little Jordan.
“We thought they’d be excited, but you’re always anxious. We never thought they would take to her the way they did,” said Matt, Allison’s husband.
The little baby girl became part of their pack, and they were going to protect and love her no matter what.
Mason, the Protective Big Brother
Source: @allison_ack
Mason, their Lab/Shepherd mix, took his role as an older brother very seriously. “He’s definitely her shadow. He’s her safety blanket, if you will,” Matt said. Shepherds are known for their protective nature, so it’s safe to say that this little girl is probably the most protected baby ever, with her brother watching over her.
Mason is a very loving, gentle, and sweet boy who, despite not having an easy start in life, has so much love to give. When he was a little puppy, someone left him at a kill shelter in Georgia where he was scheduled for euthanasia. Luckily, a local college girl came just in time to save him from his grim destiny. Mason has always loved to snuggle, so she trained him to be a therapy dog, and a couple of months later, he ended up with the Acherman family in Boston who decided to adopt him.
He was so lucky to have found his forever home, and with little Jordan coming along, he finally found his true purpose!
Source: @allison_ack
“Don’t Worry, I’m Here To Help”
Wherever baby Jordan goes, Mason follows along. He simply doesn’t want to leave her side, ever. Naturally, when it was time for baby Jordan to learn to walk, her furry big brother was next to her, offering support and helping.
“We knew it was any day now when she was just about to take her first steps. I look over and she’s leaning on him, standing up. He was like, ‘Okay, I’m here for you’. And then when she finally got it, you could tell she was proud of herself. You could tell he was proud of her, too,” Allison shared.
Source: @allison_ack
Having a furry friend supporting you along the way definitely makes learning to walk easier. As little Jordan took her first wobbly steps with a huge smile on her face, Mason patiently stood next to her, offering his body as support and encouraging his best friend.
“They’re certainly inseparable and they’re certainly best buddies,” Matt said. Little Jordan is no longer the only baby in the family, but her bond with Mason is still the cutest and most special thing ever.
A Friendship to Remember
Their love for each other is adorable and it’s certain that Jordan will remember her best furry friend for the rest of her life. It’s truly an honor to be loved by an animal like this.
Mason’s journey from a kill shelter to becoming a beloved family member and protector of little Jordan is heartwarming. His bond with her showcases the incredible capacity for love and loyalty that dogs possess.
In a world where many parents worry about how their pets will react to a new baby, Mason and Jordan’s story is a shining example of the beautiful relationships that can form between children and their pets.
For those who are welcoming a new baby into a home with pets, this story offers hope and a reminder that sometimes our furry companions can surprise us in the best possible ways. The Acherman family’s experience is a testament to the power of love, patience, and the incredible bonds that can form when we open our hearts to both our human and animal family members.
