They may seem like an unlikely pair but this 10-month-old baby girl is best friends with a 200lbs Great Dane.
Karli Weir, 34, and her husband-of-three-years Michael Ahmed, 35, had worried their huge hound Rome would be too boisterous around their little girl Merri Ahmed.
But when Merri came home in November 2017 and met three-year-old Rome, it was ‘love at first sight’.
Merri Ahmed, pictured with Great Dane Rome, has a great relationship with the massive dog
Ten-month-old Merri is inseparable from Rome, who weighs in at almost 200lbs
Merri, pictured with her parents Karli Weir and Michael Ahmed as well as their dogs Rome, right, and Bow, left, became a massive dog lover after arriving home from hospital in November 2017
Rome, pictured with Merri even tried to help change the infant’s soiled nappy
The harlequin Great Dane, who weighs a whopping 198.4lbs, was instantly transformed from clumsy canine into gentle giant – and the adorable duo have been inseparable ever since.
Now the gorgeous tot and her much bigger ‘brother’ love nothing more than cuddling up together, playing, and sharing their food – and the baby’s parents are convinced Merri thinks she is a puppy.
Watchful ‘babysitter’ Rome isn’t happy unless he’s keeping a close eye on Merri and even sneaks into Karli and Michael’s room to watch the tot as she sleeps in her cot.
Personal trainer Karli from South Shields, Newcastle upon Tyne, said: ‘Rome had never been around kids before and because he was so young and boisterous still we were a bit worried.
‘But when we brought him in to meet Merri, it was love at first sight and he has looked after her ever since.
‘He has completely stepped up, he really looks after her. He’s the best big brother and a great babysitter.
Karli said: ‘Rome had never been around kids before and because he was so young and boisterous still we were a bit worried. But when he brought him in to meet Merri, it was love at first sight’
Karli continued: ‘He has completely stepped up, he really looks after her. He’s the best big brother and a great babysitter.
As soon as Rome first met Merri as a baby he has become very protective of the new addition
‘When Merri was a tiny baby Rome would rest his head on her tummy and he would go into our room and hop on our bed just to watch her sleeping in her cot.
‘He’s always been so gentle with her. He’s big for a Great Dane, he weighs about 90kg, but you wouldn’t know seeing him around Merri.
‘He acts more like he’s the size of a spaniel.
‘When Merri watches telly she has to sit against Rome and they love their cuddles. They’re so happy in each other’s company.
‘They always have to be near each other. Merri’s always resting her head on Rome – they can’t get close enough. It’s lovely.
Now Merri is able to crawl, Rome follows her around to ensure that she isn’t hurt
Rome spent hours watching baby Merri as she slept in her cot, as evidenced in this picture.
The massive dog even follows Merri into the bath, pictured, as he continues his vigil
Despite the considerable difference in size and weight, Merri is not afraid of her dog
‘When she’s eating in her highchair it’s a case of “one for Merri, one for Rome”. The other day he was bringing her his dog biscuits.
‘Merri is crawling and she can walk around holding onto the furniture.
‘Ever since she started moving around, you can see Rome watching her and following her around to make sure she’s okay.
‘When I change her nappy, Rome will come along and try to help me take it off. He’s so funny.
‘They have such a close relationship, they are the best of friends. It’s so cute to watch them together.
‘But I think Merri thinks she is more of a puppy than a baby sometimes.’
According to Karli, sometimes she believes her daughter is more puppy than baby
According to Karli, Rome was a bit of a handful until Merri was born in November 2017
Rome, pictured with Karli, right, has himself grown from a tiny puppy, left, to a 14-stone dog
Dog lovers Karli and Michael, a self-employed builder, also have a five-year-old Great Dane called Bow and absolutely adore the breed.
The first-time parents think their daughter really benefits from growing up around the king-sized canines – almost as much as Rome has benefited from befriending the tot.
Karli said: ‘Rome was quite naughty growing up but he calmed down the moment he met Merri.
‘Both the dogs are so good with her. They’re an amazing breed, they’re gentle giants.
‘Sometimes I feel like I’m a mum of three because Great Danes are just like big kids – big kids with no clue of their size whatsoever.
‘Merri really benefits from having them around, especially from her close relationship with Rome. She’s already so at home with animals at such a young age.
‘There’s this café we go to that lets people bring their dogs and Merri loves it so much that we’ve booked her first birthday there.’