This Deaf And Blind Puppy Survived His Rescue, But Then Things Took A Tearjerking Twist Of Fate

Imagine the shock: the little pup you’ve just watched arrive into the world has come out… pink. And that’s not the only surprising thing you notice about the new arrival, who will later go by the name Piglet. With a jolt of dread, you realize that he isn't responding to sight nor sound. His life balances on the edge, and you know for better or worse, fate’s wheel hasn’t finished spinning... 

A pink puppy?

Although Piglet’s strawberry shortcake-colored fur is strange, you at least know the cause. In fact, the reason for his unique pigment and his disabilities are the same. You’re familiar enough with dog breeding to recognize a genetic condition when you see it. Piglet’s definitely been bred as a “double-dapple.” 

Breeding risks

Of course, to the uninitiated, it all takes some explaining. You’d have to tell them about how breeders deliberately pick pairs based on their desirable traits. You would also need to mention that some of them don’t take the health of potential puppies into account, either. 

Double-dappled

You know better than anyone that careless breeding can result in some unfortunate genetic conditions. Take Piglet’s parents, for example. One was a dachshund and the other a chihuahua, both of which had the double-dapple coloring themselves. That meant Piglet’s risk of a genetic disability was greater. 

Risky business

If they’d asked for advice beforehand, you could have told them breeding two such animals would be a mistake. You could have advised them against it, explained to them how unhealthy that could be for future puppies such as Piglet. After all, the chances of a double-dapple pup being born in such circumstances is fairly high: roughly 25%. And these animals face a slew of health risks.

Congenital disorders

“What kind of risks?” they might ask. And you could tell them how double-dapple pigments are linked to congenital ear and eye disorders. You’d caution them on how much care and attention a blind or deaf pup would need. And in worst-case scenarios, the baby animal might be born with both conditions. 

Twist of fate

And that’s how you recognized Piglet’s situation. Fate dealt a bad hand to the poor little pupper. He wasn’t born only partially deaf or blind; instead, he was completely deprived of both senses. Can you imagine how scary that must have been for a newborn? Life had other twists in store for Piglet, too. 

One of 38

For one thing, Piglet wasn’t born alone, but that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. In his case, he was part of a group of hoarded pups. His parents — who hadn’t been neutered — over-bred until Piglet shared his space with 37 other little dogs. And while allowing animal hoarding can sometimes be the result of their owners’ mental illness, the welfare of the dogs is important, too. 

Dr. Shapiro to the rescue

So with that in mind, you can understand why animal rescuers stepped in and helped out. They sent Piglet to Connecticut in 2017 so he could get some expert care. The veterinarian in question was Melissa Shapiro, who can tell you more about the little pup’s special condition and coloration. 

Really pink!

An Instagram post addressed Piglet’s pigment in 2019. Dr. Shapiro wrote, “Common question: Is Piglet really pink? And if so, why? First off, of course he is pink. That’s his name! Piglet, the deaf blind pink puppy.” But what you can see is actually his skin, not his fur.

Pretty in pink

The post continued, “I know — Piggy’s hair coat is white, not pink. His white hair coat is due to the unfortunate fact that he is a double-dapple...He has such thin short fur on his face and ears that his pretty pink skin shines through...He truly is a pretty pink puppy.” 

Emotional scars

Dr. Shapiro initially took in tiny Piglet as a foster parent to help him get back to health. He weighed less than two pounds when she first met him. What’s more, the pup’s past had left him with emotional scars, too. Dr. Shapiro told People magazine as much in 2020. 

Reassurance

The veterinarian revealed, “He screamed his way through the first few weeks of our ‘foster project.’ We held him, taught him tap signals, and reassured him with a comfortable, reliable routine.” And once Piglet could communicate, some of his anxieties left him. He began to realize he was with people who cared for him. 

A new family

Dr. Shapiro continued, “In turn, Piglet connected with his human and dog family, gained confidence, and started to settle down.” That’s right, Dr. Shapiro wasn’t the only one helping Piglet adjust to his new life. She also has a husband, three young adult kids, and six dogs of her own, all of whom pitched in. 

Tough decisions

During her time with Piglet, Dr. Shapiro realized just how much love and care the pink pup would need. It also made her rethink fostering him. Instead, she started to consider offering him a forever home instead. The veterinarian didn’t make the decision lightly, though, as she told People in 2019.

Already home

Dr. Shapiro revealed, “It was quite a decision to make. He is a lot of work, and he is like a full-time job, taking care of a little disabled baby. But he’s so cute, and we couldn’t give him away at that point.” And besides, Piglet had already formed a strong bond with his new family. 

Not alone anymore

That new family all worked hard to make Piglet feel comfortable around them. The other dogs also helped him adjust until Piglet got to the point where communication came naturally. This bond is an important aspect of training a dog who can’t rely on sight or sound as others do. 

Forming a bond

The animal rescue group called Many Tears Animal Rescue (MTAR) agreed that it's all about forming a bond. To do so, MTAR explained how you have to appeal to the disabled dog’s existing senses. It said, “You need to give lots and lots of praise — by touch — and treats to form this bond.”

Touch signs

Dr. Shapiro already mentioned touch signals, but what are they? They’re basically tapping a select part of the dog’s body to represent different commands. In Piglet’s case, the veterinarian used his back, nose, ribs, chin, chest and neck as call signs. You see, deaf and blind dogs rely heavily on touch. 

Very touching

MTAR added, “Blind and deaf dogs rely mainly on touch, so be sure to pet your dog all over from their ears to their paws. This way they are very used to touch and at ease with it.” It’s not just the sensation of your own touch that helps, though.

Pig in a blanket

The organization’s website continued, “Textures are a great way to guide your blind and deaf dog. Rugs, mats, blankets, etcetera are all ways to guide your dog so they can work out where they are. Blind and deaf dogs use their noses and paws to find their way around.” Such dogs can use their keen sense of smell for navigation, too. 

Makes scents

On Piglet’s Instagram page, his family described how he used his sense of smell to identify those nearby. In 2019, they wrote, “Piglet recognizes his dog and human friends by smelling their breath. When he meets new people/friends, he might be neutral. But sometimes, he acts like he’s been reunited with a long-lost cousin.”

Patient pooches

And of course, it helps if you have other patient dogs that can keep a blind pup company. Piglet was very lucky in that regard, because all of Dr. Shapiro’s other furbabies accepted their new brother unconditionally. The pupper’s website, Piglet Mindset, recounted how events transpired from Piglet’s own point of view. 

Snuggle time

It read, “Susie came into my dog beds to comfort me. She snuggled with me to keep me warm so I wouldn’t feel so alone. Zoey, Evie, and Annie played with me gently. And Dean and Gina were very tolerant of my tiny pointy teeth!” 

Bigger meaning

Piglet’s journey didn’t end with his adoption, either: he’s got an important mission in life. Dr. Shapiro informed People, “When we kept him, I said he needs to have some bigger meaning.” Unsurprisingly, many people across social media found Piglet inspiring. A certain teacher from Massachusetts was one of them.

A model pup

Piglet’s growing online popularity caught the attention of a woman who teaches a third grade class. The plucky pup’s positive attitude and determination in the face of adversity touched her. So she thought Piglet would make a good role model for her children, and decided to use him as an example for the classroom. 

Growing and adapting

The teacher’s Piglet-influenced philosophy was dreamed up to discourage her children from thoughts of ever giving up. Instead, they should view challenges as a good way of growing and adapting, just like a certain pink pooch. The teacher even reached out to Piglet’s human and discussed her teaching approach; it was a conversation with which Dr. Shapiro was more than happy to engage.

A Piglet state of mind

Dr. Shapiro wrote on Piglet Mindset, “Piglet was so inspiring to the children that they decided as a class to use Piglet as their growth mindset role model and face each day in a ‘Piglet State of Mind’ to grow as students and individuals.” He helped them outside the classroom, too. 

What would Piglet do?

The veterinarian revealed, “When problems arise at home, the children’s parents describe their kids asking, ‘What would Piglet do?’ The students sent beautiful hand-drawn cards with messages to Piglet which left us speechless.” For example, one read, “Dear Piglet, do you love your home? Why are you deaf and blind? Thank you for teaching us about the Piglet Mindset.” 

Piglet's surprise visit

Dr. Shapiro revealed to People how she kept in contact with the teacher throughout the year. “At the end of the year, we surprised the kids. They thought we were going to FaceTime, and we walked in with Piggy in his stroller and three of my other dogs, and everyone was crying.”

Spreading the message

This was how Piglet found his calling, and it was just the beginning. Dr. Shapiro and her family have since set up what they call the “Piglet Mindset Outreach program.” The aim of the initiative is to spread the same message to children across the world through the power of the internet. 

Acceptance, inclusion, empathy and kindness

The Piglet Mindset’s homepage has the title “Piglet’s Mission” which states, “The primary goals of the Piglet Mindset Educational Outreach Program are to reinforce growth mindset lessons and emphasize acceptance, inclusion, empathy, and kindness to all people and animals.” And this guidance is not limited to the classroom. These lessons can be taught wherever they’re needed, even at home.

Human-animal bond

Animals are great teachers for empathy, and they can help us in other ways, too. Animal therapy is already an established treatment for people with both physical and psychological conditions. It leverages something called the human-animal bond by allowing people to form a connection with an animal buddy. It’s not limited to dogs, either; service animals can be cats, birds and even horses. 

Comforting presence

Such treatment can be a great help under the right circumstances. A study in 2016 published on the NCBI website provided evidence that the human-animal bond can alleviate stress and anxiety, help people feel more comfortable in social situations, or even reduce physical pain. As such, therapy animals can help alleviate a variety of conditions. 

Hard worker

Experts have found animal therapy to be a useful aid to cancer patients, people with PTSD, dementia sufferers, and those with disabilities. It can also aid conditions such as autism, schizophrenia, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). But Piglet hasn’t forgotten his animal friends, either. He’s hard at work to help disabled animals such as himself.

Piglet merch

The Piglet’s Mindset website offers a variety of merchandise which help raise funds for animal shelters catering for pets with special needs. Dr. Shapiro reminded People that animal-lovers willing to take on the extra responsibility get so much back in return. “People are afraid to adopt these animals, they think that it’s going to be too much work,” she said.  

Inspiring Piggy

Dr. Shapiro continued, “But people see Piglet’s page and I get so many notes from people that because of him, they just adopted. It’s rewarding to know that people are taking the lead and being inspired by Piggy.” She’s spreading the word further with another undertaking: new books based on Piglet’s life. 

Piglet's book deal

The first title is a book called PIGLET: The Unexpected Story of a Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy and His Family. It follows Piglet’s journey through life and, by all accounts, is a real tearjerker. The second, which is titled Piglet Comes Home, is a picture book aimed at a younger audience. 

Meaningful, productive life

Dr. Shapiro wanted Piglet to change lives, and that’s exactly what he’s doing. His popularity is growing, and with it so too does the Piglet Mindset. His human mom informed People, “I made a promise to myself that I would make sure Piglet would have a meaningful, productive life.” She had no clue how his story would change the lives of other dogs, though.

Happy to know him

Dr. Shapiro continued, “Since Piglet’s Facebook following was already growing into the thousands, I saw his popularity as an opportunity to raise awareness and funding for special needs dog-rescue groups.” And don’t underestimate the power of little Piggy’s cuteness. “It makes a lot of people really happy to know him.” Some dogs, however, aren't as lucky as little Piglet.

Two puppies stood out

Like Piglet, countless dogs are born into huge litters and promptly abandoned, many of whom also have disabilities. One litter in particular traveled all the way from Louisiana to Helen Woodward Animal Shelter in Santa Fe, California, for help. After such a long trip, which must have been scary for the young pups, the puppies were finally able to stretch their legs at the shelter — two pups specifically.

Typical pups...

“You wouldn’t know it right away when you see them playing, they are typical pups,” said a staff member at Helen Woodward Animal Center. Unlike Piglet, these special pups aren't pink, so the little white pups seemed normal from a distance. Look closer, however, and one them is different. She had experienced a much different journey to California than the others.

Deaf and blind

As nervous as the other pups had been on the long trip, imagine how much scarier it would’ve been if you couldn’t see or hear anything that was going on. The staff members examined the little puppy and realized that this was her reality. Like Piglet, she was deaf and partially blind.

She has a tough life ahead of her

The trauma the poor puppy had experienced in her young life — being abandoned, rescued, then sent hundreds of miles away from anything familiar — had all happened while she was enveloped in darkness and silence. The staff expected her to be timid, maybe even unable to socialize with other dogs at all.

Her frown turned upside down

So imagine their surprise when, suddenly, the dog’s ears perked up. In a matter of seconds, the once-timid pup leapt up and started jumping around with excitement. What exactly had turned this dog’s frown upside down? Well, it’s something that anyone with siblings would understand.

Meet Star and Denver

The pup’s brother had bounded to her side, nudging her in the right directions while playing with her. The staff watched in awe as Star and Denver — the names of the sister and brother, respectively — became pretty much inseparable.

Can Star be independent?

Of course, the pups aren’t joined at the hip, and Denver can’t be by Star’s side at all times. You can imagine how alarming it must be for Star when she finds herself alone in a room, with Denver nowhere to be found. It’s so important for young puppies, especially those with special needs, to explore their surroundings...

He is Star's eyes and ears

Thankfully, Denver, ever the loyal brother, is never out of reach for long. Even if they’re only separated for a few minutes, he always makes sure to nudge Star when he returns so she knows he’s there, and that she’s not alone. In this way, Denver has become Star’s eyes and ears.

Star's special skills

He plays fairly with her, never using his sight or hearing to his advantage while they’re wrestling. Denver has become Star’s very own guide dog, helping her navigate unfamiliar territory and socialize with other dogs. Of course, there are some things Star must do on her own.

Star's sniffer

Since she can still smell and touch things, Star has become adept at finding food and has learned how to familiarize herself with new places and people in her own special ways. Jackie Kelleher of Helen Woodward Animal Center explained how Star gets used to a new location.

All alone

“When she moves to a new location, she moves very slowly, putting one paw out cautiously in front of the other and she ‘maps’ out the area around her,” Jackie explained. Even with this learned skill, there are times when Star finds herself alone in tough situations.

They are unconventional siblings

But whenever this happens, she knows exactly what to do. “Star can also smell [Denver] and if she is lost, she will move around the room until she runs into him,” Jackie said. Though most siblings — human and otherwise — often bicker their way through childhood, the same can’t be said for Star and Denver.

Rambunctious pups at heart

“When Star seems lost, Denver will run over to her and check in with her,” Jackie explained. According to Jackie, their antics have only become wilder recently. “They like to play with each other, play tumble, play with rope toys, and chew on stuffed toys,” she said.

Is adoption possible?

Even though the staff at Helen Woodward Animal Center had fallen in love with the siblings, they knew that the pups really need a forever home. The problem was, many families weren't willing to take in one rambunctious dog, let alone two. Add in a puppy with unique (not to mention expensive) needs, and a double adoption was a tall order.

Splitting up for good

Separating Star and Denver, however, would be nearly impossible. You see, though Denver functions as Star’s loyal guide, their relationship isn’t a one-way street. Denver needs Star just as much as Star needs Denver. They are brother and sister, after all, and splitting them up would be downright cruel.

Star and Denver need a family

In a perfect world, Star and Denver would find a forever home with children to play with. “I think that them being siblings definitely is something that, for a family with kids...would teach them how to be closer siblings because they have to help each other out...one relies on the other,” said a staff member at the center.

Everyone wanted to adopt the pups

Still, the fear of having to split them up was real among the staff of Helen Woodward Animal Center...that is, until they actually put the two dogs up for adoption. Instead of receiving zero applications, the center received too many to count! People from all over were touched by Star and Denver’s story.

A very special couple

Determined to find the perfect home for the inseparable siblings, the staff vetted each applicant. Whoever adopted Star and Denver had to have lots of room for the dogs to play and explore, and they had to be able to provide for Star’s special needs. That’s when the animal heroes came across the application of Sherri and Art Armendariz.

Money, money, money

Sherri and Art were warm, caring, and patient dog lovers — just what Star and Denver needed after a rocky start to their lives. Best of all, they were more than happy to take in both pups! That said, enthusiasm alone can’t pay for dog food or health care, or even the cost of adoption…

Starting off on the right paw

Luckily, the Armendarizes had some help! An anonymous donor heard their story (and the story of Star and Denver) and generously covered the cost of adoption. And Blue Buffalo Pet Food, not to be outdone, provided Sherri, Art, Star, and Denver with a whole year’s supply of dog chow!

Happy days ahead

Denver and Star’s new parents were even given special training from Rob Kuty of San Diego Pet Training so that they could learn how to make Star’s life — and Denver’s life, as her guide — a little easier. Even with all these changes, there’s one thing about Star and Denver that will never change.

Their special bond

”Denver will always be vigilant of [Star’s] needs even while they are around humans,” Jackie Kelleher said of the puppy siblings. Though Star's disabilities can make it difficult for her to warm up to people, Denver always has her back. Without him, it's possible that Star could've ended up like a less fortunate local pup named Roosevelt.

Meet Roosevelt

Kelly Michael and Sarah Lauch had been looking to adopt a dog, but when they first laid eyes on Roosevelt, their hearts broke. The pit bull was in the care of Chicago Animal Control alongside other abandoned dogs, but there was something about his big, scared eyes that touched the dog lovers’ hearts. And then, they heard his story.

A sad explanation

It turned out that Roosevelt’s unkempt appearance had an explanation. He had been abandoned at an animal control center by his previous owner, who’d attached a single note to Roosevelt’s cage: “He has problems urinating.” But Roosevelt’s problems went far beyond his bathroom habits.

Misunderstood

It was one thing for a regular dog to be abandoned, but a pit bull? Since this breed is widely misunderstood as being violent, Kelly and Sarah knew that the odds of ever being adopted were stacked against Roosevelt. They immediately connected with the despondent-looking pup.

Meant to be

“I watched him relax quietly in his cage while all the other dogs barked and jumped to get my attention. He looked so sad and tearful,” Sarah wrote on Facebook. The dog lovers knew their connection with Roosevelt was no accident. They were meant to be Roosevelt’s new owners!

Brand new life

Thanks to the organization One Tail at a Time, the women were officially able to adopt Roosevelt! After a quick once-over from the vet, they took Roosevelt home. When they first let him out of his cage, Roosevelt did something they’d never seen him do before.

Unexpected trouble

He perked right up! They gave him a big hug, elated by the idea of giving him a happy life in their home. Roosevelt — whose name the ladies shortened to “Roo” — had never looked happier...which was when the newfound family ran into some unexpected trouble.

Devastating news

The women noticed that Roo’s urinary problems weren’t going away, so the vet conducted a more thorough exam than had been done before. To Kelly and Sarah’s devastation, the vet returned with horrible news: Roo had late-stage bone cancer.

The bleak prognosis

The prognosis was bleak. Roo probably had, at most, three months or so to live. Kelly and Sarah had to decide whether they should return Roo to the shelter, where he would live out his days on someone else’s dime, or if they would take him in and pay for his expensive medical bills themselves.

Their plan

For the dog lovers, it was an easy decision to make. They scooped Roo up and brought him home without any hesitation. Roo may not have had a lot of time left, but that didn’t mean he couldn’t live out his remaining days in total happiness! With that, Kelly and Sarah came up with a plan.

Roo's bucket list

Roo, who didn’t seem to be aware of his ailment, looked happier than he’d ever been. The ladies knew one thing: they’d pamper the pooch as much as possible over the next few months. To keep track of their plans for Roo, they came up with an unusual bucket list for the dog.

List of firsts

Item by item, they were able to cross things off the list: Roo swam in a lake for the first time, gobbled down some ice cream, received relaxing therapeutic massages, and was even a frequent visitor at Taco Bell. Even with all this done, the list wasn’t even halfway completed. 

An important message

And Kelly and Sarah didn’t plan on the list ever being finished. You see, they planned on adding to the list as much as possible until Roo entered his final days. After every unforgettable moment with Roo, Kelly and Sarah shared an important message on social media.

#LiveLikeRoo

With the hashtag #LiveLikeRoo, the ladies hoped to inspire others to live every day as if it were their last. And the message really took off. Complete strangers reached out to Kelly and Sarah directly with their own contributions to add to Roo’s bucket list!

Treats for Roo!

Kind supporters of #LiveLikeRoo sent the foster parents dog toys, treats, food, and even gift cards. Even with his scary diagnosis, Roo seemed just as happy and healthy as he did before, and his dedication to living freely inspired others to do the same, according to Sarah.

A lasting impact

“People have sent me direct messages and fans have invited us to their lake house,” Sarah said on Roo’s now-viral Facebook page dedicated to his final months. Some dog owners even re-examined their relationships with their own furry friends. “Now all the owners are doing things with their own dogs.”

Their grim reality

Even with all this positivity, Kelly and Sarah never forgot the reality of the situation: Roo’s days were numbered. “Even if we have known him for such a short time, the mere thought of having to put him down at some point makes us cry,” Sarah admitted.

Breaking the news

Until that day arrived, however, Roo had a packed schedule. Kelly and Sarah planned on having him visit schools, surprise a couple on their honeymoon, go to a hockey game, and celebrate Christmas. But in early September, Sarah took to Facebook with some sad news.

Saying goodbye

“We had lots of plans with Roo,” she wrote, describing all of their happy times together. “But it was time. He was in pain.” After a few happy months together, it was clear that Roo’s cancer had progressed to a point where Roo wasn’t living a full life. Kelly and Sarah made the tough decision to say goodbye.

Honoring Roo's life

“It was one of the toughest days ever and it hurts a lot,” Sarah wrote on Facebook. “We love that you felt like he was yours. That is what we wanted.” Though their time with Roo was short, Kelly and Sarah found a great way to honor his life. 

Leaving something special behind

They started the Live Like Roo Foundation, which centers on helping families and dogs affected by cancer. “So, let’s mourn, but let’s keep going and make him proud.” Roo may have passed too soon, but his legacy left something truly special behind.