Humans have a natural tendency to pet a dog whenever they see one, even if the dog isn't real. While you should always ask permission to pet someone's dog, people are taking a moment to honor the dog monuments around the world with a pat on the nose or back.

Hero dogs like Balto and faithful companions like Fala, Hachiko, and many more are still receiving love long after they have passed away.

It is obvious where people are petting the bronze statues because that area is turning gold. The natural oxidization process turns the statue a dark color, but the regular rubbing removes that and gives it a gold glow.

Take a look at the bronzed hero Balto who lives in Central Park, New York. The husky led a sled team through a blizzard to bring medicine to sick individuals in Alaska. "Back in 1925 Nome, Alaska was stricken with a horrific diphtheria outbreak. Not enough antitoxin was available to treat all the sick until teams of mushers and sled dogs battled a blinding blizzard and traveled 674 miles to deliver the medicine," shared Central Park.

The same year, sculptor Frederick George Richard Roth was commissioned to create a statue of the brave dog who attended the reveal. Today the statue is a popular place for photos where children sit on his back or give him a pat for being such a good boy.

Scotland's most famous dog, a Skye Terrier named Bobby, is also one of the most loyal dogs to have ever lived. When his owner, John Gray, passed away the faithful dog went and sat at his grave every day for 14 years. Shortly before Bobby passed away, a statue was built in his honor on top of a fountain.

He was buried near his dad but his story lives on. His nose is shiny because people believe touching it will bring them luck. However, the City of Edinburgh has asked people to refrain from touching it to preserve the statue.

Check out some more well-loved dog statues below.