I don't post often here, but this one I had to share:
Was forced to migrate to my brother's house with the dog, snake, croc and gator due to power-outage caused by this crazy storm that just ripped through the midwest.
Now the nile croc and the snake stayed in their enclosures as they don't usually "play nice" with others. Go figure. But "chewy" my 2 foot Gator is a family favorite and is always *expected* to be wandering around the house. So here we are, with 2 dogs, a gator and random humans walking around the house. Well, my brother's dog Wyatt (12 pound mutt, only God knows what).. had never seen the gator before... And was quite curious and a bit alarmed by his presence in the house. Long story short, as Wyatt suddenly approached my gator with some certain ill intent, my dog immediately jumped between them with a loud snap and a bark drove the other dog off. And it actually happened two more times, so I know my dog's intention was to serve and protect. It is just super cool that the dog was smart enough, and had seen me interact and handle the gator quite often, that it would associate it as something that is good and it should protect... similar to how many dogs to w/ a family's children. haha!
Have a blessed and safe holiday.
Greg
Shameless plug: My dog is an Australian Blue Heeler or Australian Cattle Dog. Amazingly loyal, inteligent herding dog.
Will never own a different breed since I've had one.
Disclaimer: Before anyone replies that it is careless of me to have a gator/dog in the same room, please understand I do not encourage co-existence of dogs/crocs for obvious reasons. And I was also next to my Gator the whole time and it was not in any danger from the mutt. Trust me, I value my crocs immensely. 
