Sara Mej Bucieri
Soft ears, tiny paws and adorable eyes.
Choosing an Alaskan Malamute puppy wasn't difficult for owner Amy Sharp.
But as her four-legged friend grew immensely, so did her responsibility.
"His collar is as big as someone's belt. We didn't think he would grow that big," Amy says, laughing.
Mal is five years old and now fully grown, weighing 82 kg.
It's strikingly similar in size to a Shetland pony, but giant dogs have always been a part of 27-year-old Amy's life.
When her family's 13-year-old husky passed away, they decided to get an Alaskan Malamute puppy - a breed originally used to pull sleds and relied on for its endurance and strength.
Mal lives a much slower life.
But Amy from Bourne says his strength can still be seen, often when she walks him.
"They always ask me who walks whom."
"A lot of people turn their heads, if people drive by, you can see in their eyes that they're like, 'What?'" she says.
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Alaskan Malamutes are named after an Inuit tribe that settled along the shores of Kotzebue Bay in northwest Alaska, according to the American Kennel Club.
The American Kennel Club (PDSA) states that they typically grow to between 34 and 39 kilograms and have a special “double coat” that helps them stay warm in arctic temperatures.
Amy says she didn't notice how much her dog had grown until he started to quickly get rid of harnesses and collars.
"It just kept getting bigger and bigger," she says.
One of the challenges was finding someone to care for Mal's fur.
She recently had to take to social media to ask for help with brushing her teeth because her previous caregivers were no longer able to do it.
The post received hundreds of likes and comments, people admired Mal's greatness and wanted to help.
Later, while waiting for an appointment at the salon, someone asked her if she had seen the "big dog's Facebook" post.
"I said, he's mine," she laughs.
Amy's request quickly spread and she found a groomer willing to tackle Mal's fur.
He is the Arctic version of the "four by four" class of dogs because they are used to pulling heavy loads over long distances, according to Joan Sheehan of the Alaskan Malamute Club in the UK.
Although she described the breed as "stunning", she warned that it is a big challenge for owners.
"You have to have strength in mind and body, to be aware that if you want a beautiful, fluffy dog, then you have to be willing to work with the hair."
"You will live with it in your bed, in your food, on your clothes and everywhere else," she says.
Amy has been the target of Mal's strength and accompanying stubbornness countless times - often sitting down at the end of walks and refusing to go inside.
“You can’t move it, so the neighbors come out and try to get it to move.
"He'll just lie there and look like he's saying, 'I'm not ready to go home yet,'" says Amy.
Although he can be "very vocal" in his "responses," Amy has no regrets about her choice of dog.
She encouraged people to do their research before buying a large breed, but says her life has become intertwined with her furry friend.
"He's a gentle giant. It's Mel's world and we all just live in it," she added.
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