Dogs have a special way of sensing what we need. They snuggle in close after we’ve had a hard day and find a way to make us smile even when we don’t really want to. And with their four-legged siblings, they can be just as attentive and intuitive as they are with us.

That’s certainly the case for a young Border Collie named Julia. She may have been full of energy when she was adopted, but over time, she grew to love her feline siblings. That bond became clearer than ever when one of them needed emergency surgery. Julia stepped right into the role of comforter, making sure he knew he was safe and loved. It’s a moment that hits you right in the heart.

You can see the sweet scene in the Instagram post shared by @thehikerpup on November 14.

Julia may have tried to “eat the cats” when she was first adopted at 6 months old, but a year and a half later, she’s become their bestie. After her brother Harold’s emergency intestinal surgery, she curled up beside him and remained still, which is no small feat for a high-energy breed like a Border Collie.

Related: Border Collie and Cow ‘Accidentally’ Become Besties and Pure Sweetness Ensues

As pet parents know, those early days and weeks can feel overwhelming, especially when you’re trying to teach a young dog how to coexist with cats who aren’t entirely sure what to make of their new sibling. But even when those first few months are hard, they often hold the most rewarding moments ahead. This was undoubtedly one of them.

Viewers felt the same way. One person gushed, “Could she be any sweeter? She’s come so far!”

Another viewer, @ourfriendbenintahoe, said, “Her transformation is incredibly inspiring!! I hope Harold keeps feeling better and better.”

And @sarahcertified added, “Aww, this made me smile! So, so sweet!”

But it isn’t just Julia who’s keeping Harold’s spirits up; his kitten brother Gerald is waiting to play, and you can see their adorable antics in this Instagram from November 16:

Introducing New Dogs to Family Cats

According to SpiritDog Training, many mixed cat-and-dog households start with slow, scent-based introductions. They advise us to let our pets sniff each other through a barrier before meeting face-to-face. It’s essential to keep those sessions short and supervised, which helps lower stress.

They also recommend giving each one a quiet spot to retreat, which can make those first days less stressful. Over time, those small steps build a foundation of trust, allowing relationships to grow naturally.

While some families see progress quickly, others can take weeks or months, but as pet parents know, that persistence often pays off in more ways than we could have ever dreamed.

Seeing Julia curled right next to Harold is a good example of what that patience can lead to. She went from trying to chase the cats as a young pup to becoming the one Harold reached for after surgery.

Quiet moments like this remind us how much rescue pets can change once they feel secure, and how deeply they learn to care for the animals and people they share their home with.

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This story was originally reported by Parade Pets on Nov 18, 2025, where it first appeared in the Pet News section. Add Parade Pets as a Preferred Source by clicking here.