Girl and Dog with Cleft Lips Share Heartwarming Bond

Quick Smiles:

• Kynlee Rogers, a young girl with a cleft lip, finds a special bond with her adopted dog, Tennee, who shares the same feature.
• A nonprofit, Cleft Rescue Unit, connects dogs with craniofacial defects to individuals in the craniofacial community.
• Adopting Tennee has transformed Kynlee’s perspective on her own uniqueness.

Kynlee Rogers, a vibrant young girl, was born with a cleft lip. Like many children with unique features, she often wondered why she was different from her peers.

However, this curiosity transformed into a beautiful acceptance when she met Tennee, a dog who shares her distinctive trait.

Kynlee’s mom, Kimberly, once faced the challenging task of answering her daughter’s questions about her difference.

But now, Kynlee doesn’t need to ask anymore. She sees her reflection in Tennee, her adorable canine companion.

A nonprofit organization is dedicated to bringing together dogs born with craniofacial defects and individuals in the craniofacial community.

“Our mission is to combine the two different cleft communities: the human community and the canine community,” shares Lindsay Weisman, founder of Cleft Rescue Unit, established in May 2023.

The organization rescues puppies from across the country, aiming to create a supportive and understanding environment for both humans and dogs with clefts.

“They love that the puppies look like them. It’s really special,” Weisman explains, emphasizing the joy that shared differences can bring.

Cleft lips and palates in humans develop due to a mix of genetic and environmental factors.

While these conditions present challenges, puppies with similar conditions often face even tougher odds, as they struggle to nurse properly, leading to severe health issues.

Weisman notes that without proper veterinary care, these puppies may suffer from malnutrition and face a high risk of mortality.

To combat this, Cleft Rescue Unit raises awareness and rescues these vulnerable pups, ensuring they receive the care they need.

Once the puppies are healthy and can eat solid food, the organization seeks to match them with human owners who share their craniofacial feature.

This unique pairing offers mutual understanding and companionship, as experienced by Kynlee and Tennee.

Kynlee’s journey with Tennee began when she asked her mother if dogs could also have cleft lips.

Her mom’s insightful response, “of course they do,” sparked the beginning of a beautiful friendship.

In September, the Rogers family welcomed Tennee into their home, and the bond between Kynlee and her new furry friend has been life-changing.

This delightful story of connection and acceptance is a testament to the power of shared experiences and unconditional love.

Source