It goes without saying that most dogs have a heart of gold. Given the opportunity, a dog might give its life to protect its human loved ones. Often, some ponder over how dogs can be so inexplicably giving, forgiving, and loving. Though most heartwarming dog stories out there involve a pooch going above and beyond, here we have the story of children with hearts of gold, outshining most and giving back to the dogs.

Pete Alfano, staff writer for the Star-Telegram, recently wrote about some very special children at the Presbyterian Night Shelter in Fort Worth, Texas. Children, left homeless because of various circumstances, gathered this past weekend to give back to dogs who’ve been faced with the same challenge as them: finding a forever home.

While she was preparing a donation box, Alfano reported that 10-year-old Brandy asked the other children a very important question, “How do you spell adopt?”

The kids had already come up with some very good slogans –  ”Adopt Dogs. They Need Shelter!” and “Adopt Dogs and Change Their Life.” It seemed all they had to do now was write it out on the big cardboard box. The plan? Primp the box up so that those attending Fort Woof dog park would be motivated to adopt a homeless dog as they dropped off a dog food donation.

One little boy, Brandy’s brother, wrote ”Dogs are Super” on the box and told Alfano, “Dogs are better than girls.”

These children, 12 in total, were preparing to participate in the North Texas Super Bowl Host Committee’s SLANT 45 program. The program, explained Alfano, is meant to inspire school-age children to find ways to give back to their communities. This particular group of children would be giving back by sprucing up their local dog park, and by holding a dog food and pet adoption drive.

With various projects to choose from, program coordinators believed that helping homeless animals find forever homes was a feat that the children might relate to more genuinely. Inevitably, the children wanted to do everything possible to help these pups find families. Drew Myers, a night shelter volunteer, told Alfano that “children and dogs are as compatible as peanut butter and jelly.”

“When everything else is good in a home, the next thing a family gets is a dog,” said Myers.”It reflects stability.”

The event took place this past Saturday at Fort Woof dog park and proceeds from the event went to animal rescue Homeward Bound as well as other rescue groups. The children came out and did the work it took to make the park look its best. FOX 4 News was there covering the event and spoke to one little boy who was thrilled to be there.

“It kind of feels like you’re at the top of the roller coaster going down as fast as you can — it’s very exciting!” said 12-year-old Lyric Ledesma.

Myers was also in attendance and very happy with the results.

“Their confidence levels have gone through the roof,” said Myers. “If you take the emphasis off yourself and you put it on somebody else and give back, it makes a tremendous difference in your life.”

The children were happy to contribute to others in the same way that so many have given to them.

To learn more about the kids and this recent project they did, visit them on Twitter or on Facebook.

PHOTOS: star-telegram.com, myfoxdfw.com