Piglet is a Chihuahua-Dachshund cross, and both parents are dappled. Unfortunately, some breeders fail to consider the potential health issues that may arise when breeding dogs. A puppy of this color has a 25% chance of being a “double dapple,” which is associated with being partially or completely blind and deaf when two dogs of this color mate. He was one of those puppies, blind and deaf, but he doesn’t let that stop him from chasing his dreams.
It is not surprising that Piglet got his name because of his light pink color as a puppy. He is a beautiful and adorable dog, but his special needs required him to be cared for and loved by a special family
In Georgia, Piglet was found with 37 other puppies in a hoarding situation. Upon transfer to Connecticut, Piglet met Melissa Shapiro, a veterinarian. She initially wanted to foster him, but soon fell in love with him. She realized he belonged to her after only two months of fostering him.
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 ease. He enjoys playing with his brothers, walking, and traveling with Shapiro. He didn’t let his odd needs hold him back from living a healthy and happy life.
Upon learning Piglet’s story, a third-grade teacher in Plainville, Massachusetts, knew she had to talk to her students about Piglet’s positive attitude and how it helped him overcome obstacles. Piglet also encourages kids to celebrate their differences and embrace them.
As part of Piglet’s fundraising efforts, he and his family sell Piglet t-shirts, stickers, magnets, bags, and magnets to raise funds for special needs rescue dogs. They have already raised more than $30,000!
Piglet doesn’t just inspire dogs; he’s also an inspiration for humans, as he strives to encourage adoption worldwide and provide joy to people. The website contains a library of PDFs for use in the classroom.
