At a small-town preschool in Brazil, the students’ daily lessons go far beyond the alphabet and arts and crafts. Here, kindness and love are part of the curriculum — thanks to one very special four-legged teacher.
For the past three years, a local dog has made it his mission to show up at recess. He knows the routine by heart, arriving at the playground gate each morning just as the children head outside.
From her office across the street, Vitória Vieira has had a front-row seat to the heartwarming ritual.
“Every morning, at the same time, he’s there waiting for the children in the yard,” Vieira shared. “He’s very well-behaved.”
She shared footage of the heartwarming scene she witnesses each day:
Without fail, the pup soaks up pets and cuddles from the delighted preschoolers, who look forward to his visits as much as he does. Their joy is matched only by his — a perfect exchange of love and trust.
No one knows exactly how the tradition began. The children could have been wary of a stray visitor, and the dog might easily have avoided strangers. Instead, a beautiful friendship blossomed, built on simple kindness.
Now, the preschoolers are learning one of life’s sweetest lessons: love given freely is love returned.
“The children love it, and the dog does, too,” Vieira said.
