Special Needs Puppy Finds BFF in Rescue Piglet

• Special needs puppy Winnie needs extensive thoracic reconstruction surgeries to protect his heart and lungs.
• He had to stop playing with other dogs at the shelter, since their rough play was too risky for him.
• Thankfully, rescue piglet Wilma arrived and became his new play buddy and BFF!

Winnie, a special needs puppy, was only 6 weeks old when the family who bred him surrendered him to Charlotte’s Freedom Farm. They realized that they couldn’t give him the proper care he needs for his developmental issues.

His front legs and sternum are underdeveloped, so his heart and lungs are not sufficiently protected. He still needs extensive thoracic reconstruction surgeries.

Since Winnie is at high risk, he’s limited at what he can do. He used to play with other dogs at the sanctuary, but since they play too rough, the staff could not let him do so anymore.

Lauren Edwards shared that they all felt bad that he no longer has any playmate.

Thankfully, Wilma arrived.

The sanctuary took her in after she was spotted wandering alone outside.

Lauren said that given Wilma’s sassy and boisterous nature, she might have jumped off of a livestock truck. She loves jumping up on the couch, after all.

The rescue piglet also grew fond of Winnie — and the two became BFFs!

Whenever the two see each other, they “instantly go into play mode,” said Lauren.

It’s also safer for Wilma to play with Winnie because she plays differently from the other dogs.

Lauren and the staff still make sure to keep watch of them when they’re playing so they can keep Winnie safe.

“They hang outside as well, but she’s very focused on rooting around for insects. He just sits and hangs out and watches her when they’re outside,” Lauren shared.

Since Wilma was still being kept away from other pigs for safety, Winnie helped her feel more comfortable in the sanctuary. And Wilma has become Winnie’s new play buddy.

Just as Lauren said: “It works out for both of them!”

Their friendship seems like an unlikely one, but their personalities and dispositions work.

The shelter staff hope that the two stay friends for a long time, even after Wilma grows much bigger than Winnie.

“People love seeing them together,” Lauren shared. “And she will be 800+ pounds, so watching him watch her grow will be fun too.”

You can help support Winnie and his surgeries by donating to his GoFundMe.

Source: The Dodo