In this Educational Pet article we will talk about a little pig who became the best friend of a disabled dog.
Winnie came to Freedom Farm in Charlotte when he was about six weeks old after the family that raised him realized they couldn’t properly care for him and his developmental issues. When he was first taken in, his rescuers thought he just had underdeveloped front legs. They soon realized that his sternum had not developed properly either. This means that his lungs and heart are not well protected at this time and that he will need extensive chest reconstruction surgery.
“The main problem now is that we have to limit what he does because there’s a high risk of something happening to him,” said Lauren Edwards of Freedom Farm in Charlotte.
Poor Winnie used to play with the other dogs at the sanctuary, but they played too hard and now it’s too dangerous. They felt bad because she was suddenly without playmates until Wilma came along.
Wilma was taken to Liberty Farm in Charlotte after she was found wandering outside alone. Her rescuers thought she had jumped from a cattle truck. This definitely fits with her boisterous personality.
“She’s sweet, but oh, she’s cheeky,” Edwards said. “When he goes to get her she screams at the top of her lungs. I’m sure you can hear her across the street. She finds a way to jump on the couch and she loves doing it.” .
Wilma certainly has strong opinions, and she made one of them very clear almost from the moment she arrived. She loves Winnie and has chosen him as the official best friend of hers.
“They met right after she arrived and were playing in a few minutes, Edwards said. She looks and feels like she’s in game mode right away. She’s so cute.”
Wilma plays with Winnie differently than she does with the dogs, so it’s a little safer for her to play with him. Still, Edwards keeps a very close eye on them at all times as they play, and has to restrict things to keep Winnie completely safe. However, the restrictions have not discouraged them. They are still the best of friends and love every minute they spend together.
“They’re out too, but she’s very focused on looking for bugs,” Edwards said. “She just sits and hangs out watching her when they’re out of her.”
Wilma was definitely just what Winnie needed, and she was a great help to her as she settled into her new home at the sanctuary.
“It definitely helped her feel more comfortable coming here, Edwards said. “She’s still isolated from the other pigs (protocol just for safety), so it’s perfect that she makes good friends this way. It works well for both of us.”
Winnie and Wilma may seem like the best of friends, but they are actually perfect for each other and we hope that they will continue to be good companions long after Wilma is much older than Winnie.
“People love seeing them together and since she could weigh over 300kg, it will be fun to watch her grow,” Edwards said.