Having children brings along lots of new things for parents to worry about, and perhaps one thing that sticks out the most is who your children will look to as a life example. Sure, potty training, visits to the doctor, and going to school are all of utmost importance.

But when your child is developing their social skills, nothing can be more important than having good examples for them to learn empathy and care from. This family found the perfect one in their loving English Bulldog.

Gunnar the English Bulldog wasn’t always one to be responsible or engaged. In fact, the family Bulldog used to spend most of his time sleeping until 2 in the afternoon and refusing to go for walks in the rain. His owners had to drag him from room to room as he often refused to even get up. But the day his owners had children of their own, Gunnar very quickly went from a loafing house pet to a caring surrogate older brother.

Seems like they truly are man’s best friend, even before we leave the womb.

Gunnar was excited for his new family members ever since they were still in the womb. The bulldog even went as far as to place his head on their mom’s tummy, quietly listening for their kicks and tosses, becoming happily excited whenever he heard them.

When the family’s first son, Wyatt, was born, Gunnar’s protective side immediately took over and he quickly committed to playing the role of Wyatt’s older brother. His doggy instincts knew Wyatt was a baby, and stuck to his side at all times.

He did the same when the family gave birth to Lachlan, their second son. Gunnar’s love for his human baby brothers is so strong that he voluntarily watches over them when their mom isn’t around, and he even helped Wyatt learn how to climb the stairs for the first time.

“He taught Wyatt how to do the stairs. There Gunnar was. He was at the top, came down, and stood behind him as he climbed the stairs for the first time.”

The boys love Gunnar as much as he loves them. They take him with them to play basketball, celebrate birthdays, sit on their dad’s lap and even go swimming; though Gunnar has to wear a vest to keep his dense Bulldog body from sinking. The boys absolutely adore Gunnar’s silly side, like when he ecstatically makes a beeline for the door when someone says “Pool”.

Gunnar also loves to wrap himself in blankets and hang by the fireplace, largely in part because of his indoor lapdog upbringing. He’s been doing this even before his baby brothers were born. Watching over two little boys must be a lot of work, so we can’t blame Gunnar for a bit of unwinding by the fireplace.

To them, he’s just as much a family member as any of their children. A doggy love like Gunnar’s doesn’t show up every day, and so this family is certainly going to do everything to cherish Gunnar’s role in their life since they know he won’t be around forever. Their boys will learn how to be caring and kind as they develop their social skills, and when they’re older, they’ll have Gunnar to thank for teaching it to them.

Watch more in the video below.

Please SHARE this with your friends and family.

[Source: The Dodo]