Loving dog Zero becomes baby River's best friend

IN AN adorable twist on the popular adage, a loving Shiba Inu pup has proved to be a newborn's best friend in a series of heartwarming photos.

Baby dog

THEY say every dog has its day, and the internet deems that today most certainly belongs to a loving pup named Zero.

A Reddit user named Prolificsalo has drawn attention to an album filled with warm photos of the Shiba Inu pup watching over the woman's newborn girl, River, in a post that has attracted more than 1,500 responses since Monday.

"We just had a new baby two weeks ago. My dog has decided that she is his and stays as close as he can to her at all times," Prolificsalo wrote on the site, linking to an Imgur page full of charming photos.

Dog baby

In one, Zero takes a nap with River on a shared blanket.

Another shows the dog watching vigilantly as River's nappy is changed.

Baby dog

The newborn also appears perfectly calm as Zero nuzzles up to her tiny hand in yet another heartwarming image.

Prolificsalo wrote that Zero is one of two litter mates she and her husband adopted.

dog baby