When we think about motherly instincts, we often think about humans but it seems as if it also exists in other animal species as well. In some cases, those instincts exist, even if they are dealing with children who are not their own.

It seems as if dogs can also be included in this group. If you had never thought about it before, this story will make you a believer.

The dog had six newborn puppies of her own but she found a human child abandoned by his 14-year-old mother. When they found the baby boy, he was being sheltered by the dog as if he were her own pup. They were found in rural Argentina in a field.

La China is the name of the eight-year-old dog. It is thought that she heard the baby crying in the field in the shantytown of La Plata outside of Buenos Aires.

The area where the baby was found was surrounded by rubbish and wooden boxes.

Somehow, La China was able to pick up the baby and carry him about 54 yards. That is where he stayed with the mother dog and her puppies.

“She took it like a puppy and rescued it,” Daniel Salcedo, chief of police of the Province of Buenos Aires told CNN. “The doctors told us if she hadn’t done this, he would have died. The dog is a hero to us.”

Apparently, the dog’s owner heard the prematurely born baby crying and when he followed the sounds, he found the child with the mother dog. He was covered with a rag in the 37° weather.

The baby had a few cuts and bruises but at 8 pounds, 13 ounces he was in fairly good health. The police were called and the child was taken into custody. Doctors feel that the baby was only a few hours old.

Apparently, the frightened mother drove to the hospital shortly after the baby was born and told the authorities it was her child. She was given psychological treatment and hospitalized before being transferred to a children’s hospital in La Plata

The story is being called the “Argentine Romulus and Remus” by the Argentine media. It refers to a legend about how to abandon babies were rescued by a wolf over 3000 years ago when Rome was founded.

The media was quick to go to the home and take pictures of the dog but it left her frightened.

Her only desire was to care for her puppies and she wanted to get away from the cameras. Her owner said that she also has not been eating much because of the attention that is stressing her out.

La China has been elevated to hero status but in reality, she was only following her instincts.

Some studies have shown that it is possible for dogs to display moral behavior and to show empathy, even toward humans.

“What is extraordinary is that dogs are so close to us – and so much a part of our lives – that they sometimes happen to be in the right time and place, and whether intentional or not, manage to save lives,” Dr. Brian Hare, founder of the Duke University Canine Cognition Center said.

They may also be able to tell when a human child feels vulnerable and may protect it.

“All dogs have a mating drive and den instincts; it’s part of what’s called their ‘pack drive.’” When a dog has a strong pack drive and is tightly bonded with his family, it’s only natural that he becomes protective of a new baby when he or she arrives,” the American Kennel Club explains.

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