This little girl grew up with six German Shepherds and thinks they’re her siblings

You definitely read about Romulus and Remus, the founders of Rome, who were raised by a female wolf. But have you ever heard of the little girl who was raised by dogs? Well, German Shepherds, at that? Okay, we have your attention now.

Now, the story we're about to tell isn't as dramatic as the intro sounded. But nevertheless, it's bound to bring a bright smile to your face. It's a tale that will warm the deepest and perhaps even the coldest corners of your heart.

And the best part is that it's not even just about the friendship. It's a tale of combined animal parental instinct where a pack of canines takes over the 'duty' of 'raising' a little human. Sounds intriguing? Well, dive right into it.

From the very beginning of her life, River's world was entirely different from that of most children. She did not grow up surrounded only by human toys and traditional toddler routines. No, she was welcomed into a loving pack of six large, majestic German Shepherds. So, in order to ensure everyone's safety and comfort, her parents had taken the introduction process very, very slowly.

For the first few months, a sturdy baby gate kept the curious dogs separated from the newborn. This allowed the pack to safely smell and hear the newest addition to their family. To give credit where it's due, the dogs did an incredible job of remaining remarkably gentle around her. And her parents made sure she was never left unattended with them. With time, the little girl was growing up. And the bond between her and the gentle giants only deepened.

The moment she learned how to crawl, she became the dogs' ultimate shadow. She would follow the pack everywhere around the house, meticulously copying their every move. Her mimicry was so absolute that she genuinely seemed to believe she was just another puppy in the litter.

If her mother wasn't careful, River would sometimes put her hands into the dogs' water bowl and try to drink from it herself. She even tried to eat their dog food! And last but not least, River also loved crawling directly into their large crates to curl up alongside them.

So, River finally transitioned from crawling to walking. And in keeping with it, her puppy-like antics also evolved into mischievous adventures. She quickly became incredibly sneaky around the house. It didn't take long for the clever toddler to observe how the humans interacted with the dogs' enclosures.

One day, her mother caught her figuring out exactly how to open the latches on the dog crates. Armed with this new skill, River took it upon herself to act as the official gatekeeper. She started letting the dogs out whenever she pleased. Whether it was daytime or bedtime, she looked out for her furry siblings, even tucking herself near them to say goodnight before bed.

Among the six German Shepherds, River developed a deeply rooted favoritism for a dog named Roman. Roman was the ultimate big, clumsy goofball and the friendliest member of the entire pack. He took his role as an older brother very seriously, even attempting to gently herd River back toward safety whenever she tried to wander off too far.

When River first started talking, she couldn't quite pronounce the name Roman, so she affectionately dubbed him "Bada" instead. Even now, as a two-year-old who can talk quite well, the sweet nickname stuck, and she still calls her favorite goofball "Bada." She loves him so much that she takes Roman's stuffed animal absolutely everywhere with her.

Now that River has turned two, a beautiful shift has occurred in the household dynamics. She has now confidently stepped into the role of their little caretaker. She actively helps feed them, carefully scooping out the kibble and ensuring it lands safely inside their food bowls. She speaks to them with immense sweetness, gently calling them over and praising them for being "good boys."

River's family has also recently opened up their home to foster rescue puppies. Watching the toddler interact with these vulnerable animals has been incredibly rewarding for her parents. River has shown an innate ability to read canine body language and respect their personal space, making sure never to overwhelm the new rescues. She wins them over instantly by happily handing out treats whenever she can.

Growing up in this unique environment has taught the dogs how to be perfectly calm around children while teaching River invaluable lessons in responsibility, deep empathy, and compassion. Watching their unique relationship develop over time has turned their busy home into something truly beautiful.

Truly, the bond between humans and animals will always remain both heartwarming and mysterious. Nobody can say what exactly causes a particular animal, or in this case, a group of animals, to take a shine to a specific human.

But when it happens, we look upon it with wonder and exclaim out loud with pleasure filling our hearts. We hope that River and her Six Doggos live a great and happy life!