Nature can be harsh, especially to animals. When an animal gives birth to a weak or sickly offspring, the mother often abandons it, leaving it to fend for itself. However, sometimes, another animal steps in to adopt and care for the abandoned young one. This was the case for a rejected puppy whose life took a surprising turn when a mother cat decided to raise him as her own.
In a BBC documentary, a puppy’s journey after being abandoned by his mother is highlighted. This puppy, likely the weakest of his litter, was left alone immediately after birth. Without a mother’s care, his chances of survival were slim, even with human help.
Fortunately, this puppy’s story took a positive turn when a mother cat, who had recently given birth to a litter of healthy kittens, welcomed him into her family. The timing of their births might have made it easier for the cat to accept the puppy as one of her own.
Living among kittens came with its challenges for the puppy. Typically, dogs are more energetic and competitive, especially during feeding time. This puppy was no different; he was louder and more demanding than his kitten siblings, often pushing them aside to get his share of food. Despite this, the nurturing mother cat treated all her young ones equally, grooming them and letting them sleep together.
Such heartwarming stories, while seemingly rare, do occur quite frequently, even in the wild. Animal behavior experts have several theories about why this happens. Jill Goldman, a behaviorist featured in a National Geographic article, offered an interesting perspective on this phenomenon.
“Moms might be more willing to take on youngsters because when moms have given birth, they have a high level of oxytocin, that bonding hormone,” Goldman explained. This makes sense, especially since the mother cat and the puppy’s mother gave birth around the same time.
As the puppy and kittens grow, their differences might become more apparent. Dogs and cats have distinct behaviors and ways of interacting with their environment. For example, a BBC clip comparing an adult cat and dog drinking milk highlights these differences. The cat drinks gracefully, spilling little, while the dog makes a mess, driven by a more competitive instinct.
The National Park Service has a plan to potentially euthanize up to 170 feral cats under the guise of nuisance control. Demand a policy that protects these cats!
Despite these differences, there’s hope that the puppy and his feline family will continue to get along as they grow older. Only time will tell if their unique bond will endure, but for now, the puppy has found a loving home thanks to a very special cat mom.