SPECIAL FEATURES:
Email
Dalmatian adopts spotted lamb
The Dalmatian, which has no puppies of her own, might be drawn to the tiny ewe's speckled coat, according to a veterinarian.
Wed, Feb 13 2013 at 4:24 PM
Related Topics:
Photo: Snapshot from video
A spotted lamb that was abandoned by its mother has been adopted by a Dalmatian on a farm in south Australia.
The black-and-white lamb, a cross between a purebred white Dorper ram and a crossbred Dorper and Van Rooy ewe, has a speckled coat that closely resembles that of a Dalmation.
The young ewe’s similar appearance might have even encouraged the dog to take on this interspecies motherly role.
“It's not unusual for dogs to surrogate all manner of animals, including lambs," Dr. Kersti Seksel, a veterinary specialist in behavioral medicine, told the Australian Broadcasting Corporation in August. “But we do know that like attracts like.”
The Dalmatian, which has no puppies of her own, cleans and mothers the little lamb, and farm owner John Bolton said the attention has been a benefit to the animal.
“We're not quite sure what we should call it, whether to call it a 'sheep-matian' or a 'Dal-dorper' or something like that. But, you know, it doesn't matter how old you get — if this sort of thing doesn't make you feel good when you see it, then … well I hope never to get that old,” Bolton told The Associated Press.
You can watch a video of the lamb and its Dalmatian “mother” below.
More animal friendship stories on MNN:
You might also like:
Sign in with one of these accounts to add your comment.
EDITORS' PICKS
Advertisement
TODAY'S MOST POPULAR ON
- Student science experiment finds plants won't grow near Wi-Fi router
- U.S. solider and stray cat save each other in Afghanistan
- World's oldest beehive discovered in ancient church
- 13 natural remedies for the ant invasion
- 10 false facts most people think are true
- Use baking soda for easy-to-peel hard-boiled eggs
- Tornado survivor finds dog during live TV interview
- Why we turn to dogs when disaster strikes
- Happy World Turtle Day
- Jon Stewart explains the ‘Monsanto Protection Act’
NEWSLETTER
Advertisement
its his daughter
Never, never be afraid to do what's right, especially if the well-being of a person or animal is at stake. Society's punishments are small compared to the wounds we inflict on our soul when we look the other way.
that is so precious. thank you for sharing such a special pair.
AAAAAWWWWWWW! Incredibly warm feeling...all over!!! Adorable and lovable...
AMEN GINA
Gina, You're right - Animals should be running the planet!
mama Dalmation is probably trying to figure out why she can't like that darn sheep smell off her puppy! too precious, great story
Animals should be the ones running this planet. Too cute!
Precious story! Animals bring us such love and joy!
wonderful wonderful and this guy is a true animal lover he even has a cat in the background LOVE IT
Cute however, THAT DOG NEEDS TO BE SPAYED. Immediately.
CUTE! How about a "Dorper-Van RooMation!?! That would work. This is precious! Happy Valentines Day to all!
How precious!!
THIS IS SO BEAUTIFUL !!! WE COULD LEARN ALOT FROM ANIMALS !!!
How absolutely CUTE! God bless these precious creations! xo xo xo xo xo xo