Unfortunately, some breeders fail to consider the potential health issues that may arise when breeding dogs. Piglet is a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross, and both of his parents are dappled. When two dogs of this color mate, the puppies have a 25% chance of being a “double dapple,” which is often associated with the puppy being partially or completely blind and deaf. Piglet was one of those puppies and is completely blind and deaf, but that doesn’t stop him.
Unfortunately, some breeders fail to consider the potential health issues that may arise when breeding dogs. Piglet is a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross, and both of his parents are dappled. When two dogs of this color mate, the puppies have a 25% chance of being a “double dapple,” which is often associated with the puppy being partially or completely blind and deaf. Piglet was one of those puppies and is completely blind and deaf, but that doesn’t stop him.
Piglet got his name from his light pink coloring as a puppy. He is a beautiful and adorable dog, but due to his specific needs, he required a family that was willing to provide him with additional care and affection.
Piglet was discovered with 37 other puppies in a hoarding situation in Georgia. He was then transferred to Connecticut, where he met veterinarian Melissa Shapiro. Shapiro intended to foster Piglet at first, but she quickly fell in love with him. After only two months of fostering him, she realized he belonged with her.
Shapiro already had six dogs, so she was overjoyed to add another. Piglet requires a lot of her time and effort, but he is well worth it.
At first, caring for Piglet felt like a full-time job. He was devoted to Shapiro and screamed whenever he was anxious, which was the majority of the time. If Shapiro left the home, he would have extreme separation anxiety, so she couldn’t even leave him alone for the first month.
After a few months in his forever home, Piglet settled into a routine and felt more at peace in his new surroundings. He likes to play with his brothers, go on walks, and travel for business with Shapiro. He refused to let his odd needs keep him from having a happy dog’s life.
When a third-grade teacher in Plainville, Massachusetts, learned about Piglet’s story, she knew she had to tell her kids. She talked about Piglet’s positive attitude and how it helped him overcome obstacles. He also urges kids to embrace and celebrate differences.
The kids use Piglet to help them with their development mindset, thus they try to keep a “Piglet frame of mind,” and when faced with a difficulty, they ask themselves, “What would Piglet do?” The youngsters send hand-drawn cards to Piglet on a regular basis, which both Shapiro and Piglet enjoy.
Piglet and his family also raise money for special needs rescue dogs. They sell Piglet merchandise such as t-shirts, stickers, magnets, and bags. They have already raised more than $30,000!
Piglet’s website also contains a library of instructive PDFs for use in the classroom. Piglet is an inspiration to both humans and dogs, and he works diligently to encourage adoption and provide joy to people all across the world.
In the next years, Shapiro and Piglet will continue to help and inspire others. Piglet had a difficult childhood, but thanks to Shapiro, he is now a symbol of friendship and acceptance. Piglet’s story inspires people to adopt, especially pets with special needs like him. They may necessitate additional maintenance, but they are undeniably worthwhile.
