The late afternoon sun cast long shadows across the front yard as the toddler giggled with pure excitement. Her colorful toy ball had slipped from her grasp, bouncing and rolling steadily down the concrete toward the edge of the driveway. Her little feet slapped against the pavement as she darted after it, her eyes locked entirely on the prize.

Far in the background, a slow-moving delivery van hummed as it crept down the suburban street. The little girl didn’t notice the vehicle, but her constant companion did.

With reflexes that belied his massive size, the giant black dog sprang into action. He surged forward, planting his heavy paws squarely in front of her just steps away from the boundary of the yard. Like a huge, living bodyguard, he gently but firmly blocked her path. He turned his broad chest to ensure she couldn’t take another step forward, serving as an unwavering shield of fur while the van safely rolled past.