Two years ago, the life of a gentle elderly dog named Sophia took an unexpected turn, leaving a profound impact on her and those around her.

Sophia, a 13-year-old dog, experienced a transformative event that she could have never anticipated. Despite never having had any offspring of her own, Sophia's maternal instincts awakened as she embraced a group of tiny beings who were desperately in need of love and care.

This heartwarming tale began when Sophia's owner, James, stumbled upon four helpless baby opossums.

“[They] were found along the road next to their mother [who] had been hit by a vehicle,” James told The Dodo. “We brought them home […] and our Chihuahua, Sophia, immediately became interested and protective of them.”

Sophia, seeming to sense the little opossums’ need for a parent, began to take on that role herself. She kept them feeling cozy and safe.

“Her behavior surprised us because of her age and she had never been a mother,” James said.

Though Sophia’s maternal instincts appear to have been kindled in the presence of the babies, she didn’t limit her parenting style to what came naturally to her kind alone.

Opossum moms are accustomed to transporting their young atop their backs. Sophia, being a dog, is not — but that didn’t stop her from doing so to accommodate her adoptive babies.

It did take a little getting used to for Sophia, but she allowed the babies to hop aboard when they desired.

“They quickly became too large to hitch rides on her,” James said. “But she always remained vigilant in keeping an eye on their activities.”

The diligent and affectionate attention provided by Sophia played a significant role in the growth and development of the baby opossums. Over time, these tiny orphans thrived under Sophia's tender care. Finally, the day arrived when the young opossums reached a level of maturity that allowed them to venture into the world on their own.

With a mixture of pride and bittersweet emotions, James made the decision to release the opossums into the wild during the late fall. This timing ensured that the young ones had acquired the necessary skills to survive and thrive independently. It was a moment of both accomplishment and farewell as the orphans embarked on their new journey, forever grateful for the love and nurturing they had received from Sophia.

It’s been two years since then, and Sophia is still alive and well. And with any luck, the unlikely babies she helped to raise continue to thrive as well. James still sees opossums around his property today — living legacies of his dear dog’s big heart.