Rock NYC rescue dogs jumped in to help a dog named Riddick in 2015, after he was ejected from a moving vehicle. He was given some time to recover, and was put up for adoption – and not long after, Bryan Junior and his wife found a picture of him on Facebook and fell in love. They adopted Riddick in August of that year, quickly becoming an important part of the family.
About a year after Riddick was adopted, his parents had their own human boy. And as soon as Dawson got home, both Riddick and the other family’s pit bull, Cambria, became obsessed with him.
PHOTO: THE DODO / BRYAN JUNIOR
Junior said to The Dodo, “We would call them the paw patrol. If the baby cried, the two of them would come running inside to check on him. Every time he woke up from a nap we would say, ‘Baby Dawson is awake,’ and they would run in. They sit with us every night to this day when we read him a bedtime story, Cambria usually on my lap and Riddick on the floor. Dawson kisses them both good night and we put him to bed.”
The feeling is mutual because Dawson is as obsessed with his canine siblings as they are with him – and the little boy likes to climb on them, cuddle with them and feed them whenever he gets the chance.
Earlier this year, Dawson fell ill with the flu. It was the first time he was really sick. The poor boy felt miserable as he was running his fever, so it made sense that he wanted absolutely nothing with anyone — except Riddick.
“He crawled up onto the ottoman with Riddick and was just holding him,” Junior said. “You could tell Riddick knew he wasn’t feeling well and laid with him. He [Dawson] tossed and turned a bit and about 30 minutes later passed out cold for over an hour. Riddick never moved.”
PHOTO: THE DODO / BRYAN JUNIOR
Riddick is the only one Dawson wanted to comfort while he was sick. And of course, the dog was more than happy to help. No matter what Dawson needs, Riddick is by his side, and parents are happy to see how kind and protective Riddick is towards Dawson.
“Riddick is the most well-tempered, chill dog you could ask for,” Junior said. “He’s just gentle, loving and tolerant of anything. Everyone loves Riddick. He’s just the pup you always wish for.”
Once Dawson was feeling better a few days later, he was back to normal – running around and playing with his two favorite dogs. And Riddick will no doubt be there by his side in sickness and in health, watching over him the way only a dog can.
How precious is that bond?
