Riddick was rescued in 2015 by Rock New York Rescue Dogs after being thrown from a moving car. Soon, Brian Jr. and his wife came across his photo on Facebook and immediately fell in love with him. They adopted him in August of the same year, and he immediately became an incredibly important member of their small family.
About a year after Riddick was adopted, his parents had a baby boy, and from the moment Dawson arrived home, Riddick and the family’s other pit bull, Cambria, were absolutely obsessed with him.
“We would call them the paw patrol,” Junior told The Dodo. “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.”
Dawson also loves his pit bulls and loves to climb all over them, cuddle with them and help to feed them.
Recently, Dawson came down with the flu; it was the first time he had ever been really sick. He was running a fever and generally felt miserable, and wanted absolutely nothing to do with anyone or anything — except for 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 lost consciousness for over an hour. Riddick didn’t even move.”
Riddick was the only one Dawson wanted to comfort him while he was ill, and of course, Riddick was happy to oblige. No matter what Dawson needs, Riddick is always there, and their parents love watching how sweet and protective Riddick is with their little son.
“Riddick is the well-tempered, dog,” Junior said. “He’s just gentle, loving, and tolerant of anything. Everyone loves Riddick.”
A few days later, Dawson was feeling so much better and completely back to normal, running around outside and inside with his two favorite dogs. Even when he’s healthy and happy, though, Riddick will always be there for him, watching over him and loving him as only a dog brother can.