There’s nothing more special than the bond between a child and their dog. Every kid should grow up with a dog — they’re not only loving companions but they’re also very protective of their owners, always willing to put themselves on the line when there’s danger.

That’s what one tiny but very brave proved this week, after she defended her 10-year-old owner from a coyote, sustaining injuries in the process.

Macy is a six-year-old Yorkie mix who lives with her owner Dorothy Kwan and her family in Scarborough, Toronto.

Recently, Macy was out for a walk with the family’s 10-year-old daughter — and things took a drastic turn when the girl came face-to-face with a wild coyote.

But amazingly, the little dog stepped up to be a hero, facing off with the coyote to protect her owner.

The footage is distressing: you can see the coyote attacking Macy in the background as the girl cries for help.

But ultimately, however, Macy is the victor in the showdown: Macy continues to bark, and eventually the coyote retreats, as if chased off by the smaller canine.

“You can see our dog putting herself between my daughter and the coyote,” Dorothy Kwan told blogTO. “Even after she was seriously injured, she continued to bark and chase the coyote away. She fought back.”

While Macy succeeded in fending off the coyote, she was still left with some severe injuries. “She received extensive injuries to her body and leg,” Dorothy wrote. “She is undergoing surgery for her wounds at the emergency animal hospital.”

Dorothy was left hearbroken, knowing her beloved little dog got hurt all to save her daughter. “My heart is breaking for both my little one and our dog whom we rescued 5 years ago. I’m a single mom of two and my children and our dog mean everything to me.”

Macy was taken to the animal hospital where she received care for her wounds, but the bill ended up costing thousands.

But when the family put up a GoFundMe page raising money for the funds, sharing Macy’s heroic story with the world, people came through: the page has nearly $20,000, doubling its fundraising goal.

And even better, Macy is now recovering nicely, according to updates from Dorothy on the fundraising page.

“Her fever is gone and she’s got her appetite back,” she wrote today. “I am so very proud of her. No coyotes will want to mess with her when she comes home. My feisty girl is a true fighter. I love you so very much. You can do this!”