Whoever coined the term ‘man’s best friend’ should have observed at how dogs behave around babies. They’re gentle, sweet and responsible brothers and sisters to their human siblings. Brutus, for instance, becomes the most doting brother just for Kayden, the baby of the Michalek family.

Brutus is a 3-year-old Bullmastiff living in Northern California with his family, the Michaleks. He is technically the family’s first baby, according to Bonnie Michalek. Despite his tough facial expression, Brutus is actually a very warm and playful dog, but Bonnie and her husband were worried at how Brutus would react in case they got ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴛ with their first child. Brutus loves kids, he also plays with them at the park and always accepts kids’ attentions whenever he meets them, but he’s also used to being the only child, so they really had no idea how he’d take the new family asset. Michalek said: “He’s always loved kids. Every time he’s heard kids outside laughing he gets excited.”

Brutus actually sensed Bonnie’s ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴄʏ it before the couple even had an idea. On nights when Bonnie’s husband was at work, Brutus would hot leave her side. No matter how Bonnie made his crate comfortable or bribed Brutus with treats, he would not stay inside the crate until her husband came home. Nine months later, when Bonnie finally ɢᴀᴠᴇ ʙɪʀᴛʜ to Kayden, the Michaleks made sure that Brutus would be part of it all. Michalek said: “Brutus knew I was ᴘʀᴇɢɴᴀɴᴛ before I did — 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.”

Brutus stayed at Bonnie’s parents’ house while they brought the baby home. When they picked Brutus up, Bonnie made sure to give him lots of attention before meeting the new baby. When they allowed him to meet Kayden, Brutus immediately went to ᴋɪss and sɴᴜɢɢʟᴇ with the baby. Then and there, a unique friendship was ʙᴏʀɴ. Brutus has become Kayden’s babysitter and bodyguard, and every time Kayden ᴄʀɪᴇs, Brutus brings him his worn out fluffball.

That yellow fluffball is Brutus’ favorite toy, and he thinks that Kayden would feel better and stop crying if he gave it to him. Everyone is learning and growing now that Kayden is here. And Brutus just learned that, in addition to the fluffball, there are other kinds of toys out there that aren’t even for dogs.