Newborn baby bunnies think caring golden retriever is their mom

Dogs are such sweet and protective animals—it’s always inspiring to see them instinctively step up to help care for another animal in need.

Like one adorable dog, who was so good with a litter of newborns that they thought he was their mother!

Bailey the golden retriever is a bit of an internet celebrity: the videos on his YouTube channel have been viewed over 81 million times since 2018.

But one of his most precious moments came earlier this year, when Bailey made friends with his new pet siblings, rabbits Sam and Charlotte.

Bailey immediately bonded with the rabbits—he especially loved using them as pillows, which the rabbits seem to enjoy just as much.

The animals’ owner, Taras, told the Daily Star that the rabbits were rescues, saved “from the hands of people who catch rabbits in private homes.”

If their friendship wasn’t adorable enough, the family soon grew even bigger… when Charlotte gave birth to bunnies!

She gave birth to the tiny, adorable bunnies… and of course Bailey was there to support her.

“Bailey has looked after them from the day they were born,” Taras said.

In one of Bailey’s most viral videos—it currently has over 4.3 million views—Bailey has the funniest reactions to watching the new bunnies roam around his bed for the first time.

While at first he seems a little confused and unsure how to react, he eventually settles in, calmly watching over the bunnies.

And since then, Bailey has taken on the role of their protector. He does such a good job looking after the little creatures that they’ve already grown attached.

In fact, despite the fact that he’s a dog (and a male) it seems the bunnies view him as their mother!

Taras said that while that’s unusual, it isn’t surprising “because he is very kind to them and he loves them very much.”

And people can’t get enough of this adorable relationship: Another video called “Cute Baby Bunnies think the Golden Retriever is their Mother” has been viewed nearly 9 million times.