The other day, this 8-year-old girl named Isa stepped out for a walk around the neighborhood in Brazil, where she lives. Her adult cousin, Grazi Do Vale Silva, had asked her to pick up some milk from the store on her way. But she arrived home with something else entirely. Silva was surprised when she saw Isa approaching.

“I was looking out the front gate when I saw her carrying something strange,” Silva told The Dodo. Turns out, Isa had saved a life.Sure enough, cradled in little Isa’s arms, was a small puppy. Silva was perplexed and responded somewhat harshly at first, but then she learned the story. Isa had been walking nearby when she saw some boys on the street kicking the puppy. She decided to intervene and carry the dog to safety.

Silva changed his mind after hearing that. “I’m delighted she did,” she remarked. The puppy had a head wound from the assault, so Silva and Isa rushed her to the vet. The dog, now named Mel, has recovered well at Isa and Silva’s house since then. They already have numerous other rescue dogs, but Isa and Mel have created an unbreakable friendship.

“Mel is glued to Isa, and Isa treats her as if she were a daughter,” Silva explained. “The first thing she does when she gets home from school is to see tiny Mel.” They are inextricably linked.” Growing up, Isa was instilled with a sense of protectiveness and care for creatures in need — and now, the prize for her open heart is seen with every wag of Mel’s small tail. “I am very proud of [Isa],” Silva stated. “It is our responsibility to respect animals. Their love is a blessing.”