Some dogs are the very definition of a gentle giant, and the world just feels a little nicer when they are in it. They might seem intimidating at first because of their size, but so often they turn out to be the biggest softies around.
Sadly, not everyone realizes that these oversized pups are usually the sweetest, most loving souls you could meet.
Honestly, I have had way more dramatic run-ins with tiny Chihuahuas than I ever have with giant breeds like Newfoundlands or Great Pyrenees. Every dog is different, of course, but the pattern is hard to miss. The big ones are often the real sweethearts.
Mya is a perfect example of that. She is a seven-year-old Great Pyrenees, and she wears that breed reputation beautifully. These dogs were originally bred to protect livestock, and plenty of them still carry that strong guardian instinct.
Mya lives in Sharpsburg, Georgia. She is not out on a farm anywhere, but that does not stop her from loving just about every creature she comes across. Every now and then, she even decides she wants to bring one of her new friends home.
Her mom, Rachel, is not always quite as thrilled about that idea.
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?
This time, Mya had hoped she could slip another turtle past her mom’s watchful eye. But her plan fell apart the moment Rachel caught her standing at the door with a turtle held delicately in her mouth.
It was not Mya’s first attempt.
The very first time Rachel saw her with a turtle, she panicked. She worried about the turtle’s safety and rushed to intervene. But Mya made it clear she had no intention of hurting the animal. She carried it with surprising care, and every turtle she later discovered remained unharmed.
Yes, every turtle. Because Mya never stopped at one.
Whenever she found another shelly friend wandering in the yard, she would gently pick it up and head toward the house. If Rachel had not stepped in each time, their Georgia home might have ended up full of turtles.
On this particular day, Mya once again tried to show off her newest discovery. But Rachel was already expecting mischief. She caught Mya at the doorway, hoping this time her mom would finally say yes.
After a moment of quiet pleading and a few gentle prompts, Mya slowly set the turtle down. The small creature was safe and completely unharmed. Mya, however, looked heartbroken, her expression full of disappointment.
This shelly friend had to stay outdoors.
No one knows exactly where the turtle wandered off to, but it likely returned to its natural environment.
Mya’s sweet habit brings plenty of laughs, but it also highlights an important message. Wild animals should never be carried around by pets. Even the gentlest dog can unintentionally cause harm through stress or injury.
If your pup behaves like Mya, be ready to guide them away. Wild creatures belong outdoors, exploring nature on their own terms.