Her dog was terrified of the vacuum cleaner — but he'd still stand between it and the baby every single time

Watching your kids grow up around dogs is something that not every parent gets to encounter, and those who do know how incredibly special that experience is. From sneaky late-night snack heists to endless fetch marathons, dogs seamlessly become an inseparable part of their childhood. However, most dogs are more than just playmates; they are fierce guardians, protecting their little humans against every threat that comes their way. This profound truth was underlined when an anonymous person (u/recent-sorbet on Reddit) shared how Sara Booth's family dog, Charlie, instinctively protected her from any threat, even when it meant confronting his own fears.

When asked about the kindest thing a pet had ever done, Booth shared how Charlie, who, despite being horrified of the vacuum cleaner itself, would always protect her from the monstrous machine. While Booth herself doesn't remember the incident, since she was too young during Charlie's peak, she seemed touched by the dog's unconditional love. "My parents had a dog named Charlie who was absolutely terrified of the vacuum cleaner. But, after I was born, any time my mother vacuumed, Charlie would stand steadfast between me and the vacuum cleaner," she wrote. Further, Booth recalled her mother explaining how Charlie would literally be shivering in fear but continue to bravely face the threat, like a loyal guardian.

The wholesome story received an overwhelming response on social media, with people talking about similar experiences in the comments. For example, u/arch27 shared, "My mom said when I was a baby, our dog growled out of nowhere late at night. She started barking very loud, single barks at the back door. A few minutes later, she stopped and went back to sleep. A handful of neighbors got robbed that night. The burglar was breaking into back doors and hit the whole block except our house."

Similarly, u/prettygirlofsos shared, "My very rambunctious dog would be very gentle with my mother, who had cancer, and would lie on the back of the armchair, warming my mother's bald head, which was always very cold. She was a completely different dog with her around, and I had no idea she could even lie up there. She was a great comfort to my mom. RIP Mommy!" On the other hand, u/beelzebat revealed, "I remember one time I was really depressed and s*** and lying on my side in bed when my kitty Shanti came up and lay on top of my head like a sideways top hat. She had never done something like that before and was a very independent little lady who didn’t like physical contact a whole lot. It was so funny and surreal that I completely forgot about my depressive episode altogether."

u/pickleless_cage commented, "The dog I grew up with would often sleep at the base of the stairs, even though she had a bed. For years, we thought she just liked it there. Until she was 14 or 15, she was arthritic and would stay in her bed. Except one night, my sister and I were home alone, and she slept at the base of the stairs — that’s when I realized she was there to protect us. After that, I always made sure her bed was at the base of the stairs when our parents were out so she’d be comfy."

We may not deserve the fierce love these furry angels show us, but god knows we are grateful to have them by our side.