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By Daniella Gray
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A goldendoodle from Maryland has melted hearts online by giving his favorite toy to his little sister before daycare.
Mom Kelly Madsen posted a reel on Instagram dedicated to the family dog, Bentley (@minidoodlebentley), as he gave little Rachel his most prized possession—a tennis ball—before her first daycare drop off.
And as if that wasn't touching enough, Bentley then tried to hop in the car, determined to come along for moral support.
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For Madsen, who works full time, this was her second child heading off to daycare—but that didn't make the transition any easier.
"I anticipated how it would feel this time," she told Newsweek. "Definitely sad, both not to have undivided time and attention with her, but also because Bentley got used to spending the days with both of us."
Bentley's gesture hit even harder knowing how much he treasures his toys. "It was definitely a heart melting moment," Madsen said. "Bentley doesn't share his tennis balls with just anyone, so I knew that meant they had built a very strong bond."
Goldendoodles like Bentley are known for their gentle, intuitive nature, particularly with small children.
A mix of golden retriever and poodle, they tend to be affectionate, sociable, and deeply bonded to their families—traits that make them especially nurturing companions for little ones.
The bond between the two is clear in their everyday interactions too. Rachel, now two and a half, is Bentley's shadow and sidekick; his go-to tennis ball launcher, snack sharer, and mimic.
"[They] are little trouble makers and playmates together," Madsen told Newsweek. "Rachel is his tennis ball launcher buddy, neither of them ever want to stop."
Rachel also imitates his every move—panting, carrying things in her mouth, playing with his toys, she added.
Madsen's clip has been viewed 2.8 million times and a further 101,000 likes.
Hundreds of Instagram users adored the pair in the comments, particularly those who knew just how meaningful Bentley's gesture was.
Still, the post did spark some criticism. "Some people have criticized me for sending my daughter to daycare and not staying home with her, but that's how the internet works, they don't know the ins and outs of your life," Madsen said. "I work full time and it wouldn't be possible to do so without daycare."
Since that emotional first day, Bentley has started a new tradition by welcoming Rachel home from school every day.
"He misses her so much during the day that he is over the moon excited to see her and welcomes her with all the happy butt wiggles in the world," Madsen said.
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