A sheepdog was not responding to his owner’s call. The worried man never imagined he would find him doing anything less than saving a poor baby lamb.

Matias Marquez is a man who lives a peaceful life in Irazusta, Argentina. Years ago, he made the decision to abandon his city life to devote himself to caring for his sheep.

“It was not easy to have a business without capital. I set up the corrals, made the fences, I am a midwife and I take care of the lambs,” Matías said.

His dog did not respond to his call, but it was because he was being a hero.

His dream was to live off what his land gave him but during the first few months he faced all kinds of difficulties.

His sheep were ambushed on several occasions by wild animals and Matias realized that he had to take serious measures to protect them. Some friends told him about the Maremma breed puppies.

“The dog is man’s best friend. But so are sheep,” Matias celebrated.

Hanna and Raptor became the best sheep dogs in the world.

These furry dogs are a variety of mastiff that originated in Italy and for centuries have been the shepherds’ companions to defend the sheep.

That’s how Hanna and Raptor came into Matias’ life when they were just puppies. He wanted to get them used to living with the sheep from a very young age so that they would all become a beautiful family.

“Today, both Hanna and Raptor mark their territory and each guard their own area. They are intimidating to anyone who seeks to hurt their sheep,” explained Matias.

He couldn’t have imagined that this sweet baby would grow into a great sheepdog.

Recently, Raptor showed that he was really willing to do what it takes to take care of the sheep.

It was a normal day on the farm, Matthias joined the sheep in the pen for a walk around the grounds. When they return, they usually come accompanied by Hanna and Raptor but this time that wasn’t the case.

“I thought it was strange that she didn’t come to me. He always pays attention,” Matias said.

Raptor would never let his entrusted flock out of his sight.

Raptor was nowhere to be seen. Matias thought he would be back in a matter of a couple of hours, but by nightfall he began to worry seriously about his dog’s absence and went out to look for him.

He finally found him in a strange position and the furry little dog was refusing to come to his owner’s call.

“I walked slowly and saw next to him a little newborn lamb, made into a little ball,” Matias said.

Matias didn’t understand what was going on until he finally approached his loyal sheepherder. Raptor was curled up next to a little lamb.

He was very small and the poor thing looked terrified without his mom. Without the protection that the beautiful Raptor gave him for hours, it was very likely that the little lamb would not make it. He was a Maremma puppy truly devoted to the care of his sheep.

“The lamb’s mother returned alone to the pen and Raptor decided to stay there, taking care of it. Luckily he stayed, otherwise he would have died because there was a big frost,” said Matias.

In the absence of the mother, Raptor knew he had to intervene to save the little lamb.

Somehow, Raptor understood that he could not leave the smallest lamb on the farm there. When Matthias returned to the cabin, a mother ewe began to bleat with joy as she was reunited with her little lamb. The loving Raptor saved her life. And that sweet reunion would never have been possible if it weren’t for this beautiful little dog’s care and concern.

The enormous heart of animals is something that will never cease to amaze us.