Some dogs earn the title of gentle giant, and life wouldn’t be the same without them. They may be towering in size, but their hearts are even more immense.
Unfortunately, not everyone realizes that these big dogs are often the gentlest of all.
From personal experience, I’ve had more run-ins with feisty little Chihuahuas than with massive breeds like Newfoundlands or Great Pyrenees. While every dog has its quirks, there’s a noticeable trend: big dogs tend to be softies.
Mya is one of those gentle giants. A proud Great Pyrenees, she’s a perfect example of her breed’s loving nature. Historically bred to guard livestock, these dogs still carry strong protective instincts.
Mya lives in Sharpsburg, Georgia, not on a farm, but her instincts haven’t faded.
At seven years old, she’s still brimming with affection and always eager to make new friends. Sometimes, she even tries to bring them home.
Her mom, Rachel, doesn’t always approve of Mya’s surprise guests.
A Dog With A Soft Spot
Everything waz going so gud. I findz new frens. I luv shelly frens. Mommy sayz they called turtles. I call dem shelly frens. They so sweet!
Just when I wantz to show shelly fren my home, mommy come.
Mommy sayz no to shelly frens.
Dat make me a sad doggo.
Why I no keep shelly frens, mom?
Mya had hoped to sneak another turtle into the house unnoticed. But this time, her plan didn’t work.
Rachel, already aware of Mya’s fondness for turtles, caught her red-pawed.
It wasn’t the first time.
The first time Rachel saw Mya with a turtle in her mouth, she panicked. Was it dangerous? Could Mya hurt it?
But Mya quickly showed her true nature. She never harmed the turtle, or any of the others she later found.
Yes, others.
Because Mya didn’t stop at one shelly friend. Each time she discovered a turtle, she tried to bring it home. If Rachel hadn’t intervened, their Georgia house might have turned into a turtle sanctuary.
Mya couldn’t resist the urge to carry her new companions inside.
That’s what happened again. She found a turtle, held it gently, and waited for the perfect moment. But Rachel was already onto her. Mya stood at the door, turtle in mouth, hoping for a different outcome.
After a few firm words and gentle coaxing, Mya finally set the turtle down.
The little creature was unharmed, and Mya looked crushed, her eyes pleading with her mom.
Sorry, Mya. That shelly friend had to go back.
No one knows exactly where the turtle ended up, but it likely returned to the wild, free to roam.
While Mya’s story is sweet and a little humorous, it’s also a reminder that wild animals shouldn’t be carried around by pets.
Even with the best intentions, a dog could accidentally harm them; crack a shell, cause stress, or worse.
If your dog shows curiosity like Mya, be ready to step in. Wild creatures aren’t toys. They belong in their natural habitat.