DIRIGO STORIES: Girl's friendship with pet duck goes viral

FREEPORT (WGME) -- A little girl's friendship with a duck is inspiring pet owners across the country.

On the coldest day of the school year at Morse Street Elementary School, there's ice and Snowflake outside. He's at the school for a special visit, to teach a lesson in kindness.

Snowflake turns heads wherever he goes, but he turns his head for 5-year-old Kylie Brown.

Snowflake imprinted on Kylie when her parents brought him home last summer.

Kylie and Snowflake showed their special bond just after the New Year. The story got 10 million views all across the country.

"There's a lot of sad stuff going on in the news and it was just awesome to have a story that made everyone happy," Kylie's father, Mike Brown, said.

The Pet Education Project in Louisiana saw the story, and wanted to honor Kylie for being a responsible pet owner.

Kylie didn't know she was getting the award at her school assembly; where appropriately, the theme was kindness.

Snowflake was another surprise for Kylie and the kids, so she can teach the other students about taking care of pets.

"It just goes to show it doesn't matter what kind of pet you have, when you have a kid, they need to know how to take care of them." Mike Brown said.

Kylie takes care of snowflake like a child. She feeds him, they nap together and they play together.

"It was love at first sight for both of them," Mike Brown said. "We never expected it would be like it is right now."

Even on the coldest winter day, their bond can warm the world.