German Shepherd Taking Parenting Job Very Seriously Goes Viral, Wins Hearts
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Hearts have melted over a working dog truly living up to his name as he helps his owner care for her toddler daughter.
Mel, who gave her first name only, lives in Colorado with her fiancé, Clint, their 17-month-old daughter, Junie, and 11-month-old German shepherd dog Oakley.
Oakley has grown up alongside the toddler, becoming part of the family as a nine-week-old puppy when Junie was just six months old.
And while many parents may balk at the idea of training a puppy while also caring for a young baby, Oakley has, in fact, become an important part of the parenting team—despite still being a puppy himself.
Mel explained to Newsweek that the family had lost their previous German shepherd, Copper, while she was pregnant with Junie, and she realized she was grieving him so much that it was affecting her moments with her firstborn daughter.
And so, when they brought puppy Oakley home, Mel immediately "started incorporating him into everything we did."
"Diaper changes, bottle washing, you name it, I involve Oakley in some way because that's exactly what we did with Copper prior to parenthood."
She said that, as a working breed, German shepherds find "great fulfillment" in working, and so she began incorporating Oakley's obedience training into tasks he was already doing with the baby.
"He loved it and I loved it so we started making cute videos of it!"
Oakley the German Shepherd follows his owner around the house and helps out with fetching baby items.
Oakley the German Shepherd follows his owner around the house and helps out with fetching baby items.
TikTok @love_melbelle
In a video shared to her TikTok account @love_melbelle on July 25, she showcased her daily life with Junie and 11-month-old Oakley, writing: "My German Shepherd thinks it's his job to help me raise our toddler."
Set to Dolly Parton's 9 to 5, it shows Oakley happily in step with Mel as she gets her daughter up in the morning, following the toddler around the house, keeping an eye on her, and lying beside them in bed as Mel reads her a story.
Oakley also fetches important items: creams, diapers, bottles, picture books—and even helps to fill the dishwasher, with Mel calling him "the best helper."
Mel told Newsweek: "He is my shadow 24/7, and I truly think he sees me watching Junie really closely, and now he has started doing the same. He follows me around and now I'm pretty sure he thinks it's his job to watch our toddler!
"The two of them also share this incredible unspoken bond and even as a puppy Oakley gravitated towards Junie."
TikTok users had a big reaction, watching the video close to 400,000 times and awarding it almost 50,000 likes, as one commenter joked: "You mean he lets you help raise HIS toddler."
Oakley and toddler Junie with picture books.
Oakley and toddler Junie with picture books.
TikTok @love_melbelle
"A working dog with an actual job, we love to see it," another said, adding: "Mine just bosses me around."
And one commenter suggested German shepherds "are wired to perform jobs and to protect, so your pup is well fulfilled."
GSDs are known for being affectionate with family and good with young children, and are described by the American Kennel Club as loyal, courageous, confident, and willing to put their life on the line to defend family.
Speaking about her loyal pet and her plans for future videos with him, Mel said they "absolutely love him, and I can't wait to showcase all the ways he helps me around the house.
"I am also a big advocate for both dog and child safety, and I'm hoping to share some things that I do to keep them both safe, happy, and healthy."
Do you have funny and adorable videos or pictures of your pet you want to share? Send them to life@newsweek.com with some details about your best friend and they could appear in our Pet of the Week lineup.
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