This adorable two-year-old from Michigan with a cleft lip finds his perfect furry companion.
Brandon Boyer and his dad were only supposed to look at two chickens for adoption at the Jackson County Animal Shelter. Little did they know that that day will be the day the little boy will find his perfect match: a two-month-old puppy, also with a cleft lip.
When Brandon's parents saw the black-and-white the adorable pooch, they knew they would not take any chicken home. Instead, they will bring home the dog as latest member of their family. Brandon and the puppy instantly clicked and looked inseparable based on the photos posted by the animal shelter.
Bentley's mom told ClickOnDetroit that as soon as she learned that the puppy also has a cleft lip, she knew that it is what she wants for her toddler.
Life started hard for Bentley, who was born with a cleft lip. His mom said that feeding had become a tough process since it is difficult to get Bentley to eat. Often, they would have to hold his lips together just so he would eat. Apart from that, he is a happy boy like any other kid.
Why would they want to have the puppy? Bentley's mom said that having something in common with Bentley, the dog will remind the boy that he is not alone, and this reminder means a lot. While a cleft lip is not something not commonly seen in dogs, the shelter assured that the puppy would not have problems with his condition. The shelter had the dog for two weeks before the Boyer family adopted her, and she was doing well. They said the condition is not slowing the dog down at all.
The Jackson County Animal Shelter - Michigan shares the adorable moments of the duo on Facebook. They wrote, "It's so hard to put into words how meaningful this adoption is to all of us..."
"...Bentley found his match today in this tiny pup who also had a cleft lip."
They added that the duo instantly loved each other and that they wish many years of joy as "this special pair grow up together."
Cleft palate or lip in dogs and cats
A cleft lip is a congenital defect that puppies and kittens get when the roof of the mouth does not properly close. In a cleft lip, the part of the lip is missing or malformed. On some occasions, one or both of the nostrils look like they connect directly to the mouth.
Meanwhile, a cleft palate is a disconnection of the tissues that make up the roof of the mouth. It can cause a hole in the palate because the tissues did not fully grow together. In some severe cases, you would see holes that connect directly to the nasal cavity.
Animals with a severe defect may have difficulty feeding. Often, they will show nasal discharge caused by milk and other food material getting stuck in the nasal passage. Other complications include Pneumonia, poor growth, and slow development.
If the deformity does not cause any symptoms, they are usually left alone. Otherwise, surgery is needed to prevent serious infections and allow the pet to eat or swallow properly.
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