The star of Do Dah Day, the dog festival held in Birmingham, Alabama, was Pig, a dog born in the northeastern woods of Atlanta to a feral mother.
Now looking at Pig, the dog, you would think, that is one unusual looking critter. But it’s exactly Pig’s birth defects that makes her such a remarkable animal, full of life and job and bringing laughter to others.
In this story written by Pulitzer Prizer winner Joey Kennedy, he tells the story of how Pig thrived under circumstances that would have defeated other dogs.
The first woman who rescued Pig was told she should put the dog down because of her defects, which includes missing ribs and a shortened spine. Her hips and joints are also rotated in the wrong direction.
Kim Dillenbeck heard about Pig when she was visiting her sister’s house and heard about a neighbour with an unusual dog. When she went to see the dog, Dillenbeck said she bonded with Pig right away.
I thought I’d either be with her or near her helping her find a home. Pretty quickly, I decided to be her mother because she probably wouldn’t live.”
Dillenbeck said she assumed that Pig’s deformities would have shortened her life with the body shape causing her own organs to suffer.
Pig is now 18 months old but about half the weight, at 15 pounds than her other sisters. Her long-term prognosis is unknown. Dillenbeck took her to the vet recently and was reminded that whatever time she had with her special dog was a gift.
I’m the lucky one. She makes me laugh every day.”
h/t: AL.com
Photo credit: AL.com
