Paige Knudtson adopted Brutus, a 2-year-old boxer, from a local rescue shortly after learning she was pregnant with Finn. Knudtson had grown up with boxers and knew how gentle they could be. But she could never have predicted how important the dog would become in her baby’s life.

Knudtson told The Dodo, “Brutus is just a big teddy bear.” “He craves attention and enjoys cuddling with others.”

Finn was finally able to return home after seven weeks and a few complications. And when Brutus met his baby brother, he felt an instant connection. “It was as if Brutus just knew Finn needed some extra close monitoring once we got home, and he has been by his side ever since.” Knudtson said.

“Brutus frequently curls up wherever Finn is sitting in our house and follows him from room to room.” Knudtson explained. “If Finn is sick, Brutus notices and simply stays by Finn’s side or rests his head on Finn’s chest.”

Even at night, the brothers dislike being alone.

When Finn was a baby, the protective dog slept on the rug in front of the crib, and now that Finn has graduated to a toddler bed, the two can snuggle up much more easily.

“Finn only started sleeping in his ‘big boy bed’ about a month ago, and that’s when Brutus started crawling up and sleeping in Finn’s bed every night.” Knudtson explained. “It was almost as if he was lying next to him to keep him from rolling out of bed.”

Finn will frequently choose to snuggle up with Brutus in his dog bed rather than stay in his own now that Knudtson has moved Brutus’ dog bed into Finn’s room.