Winnie’s journey began at Charlotte’s Freedom Farm when he was just around 6 weeks old. His original family, who had bred him, realized they were unable to provide him with the necessary care due to his developmental issues. Initially, his rescuers believed it was only his front legs that were underdeveloped. However, they soon discovered a more serious issue: his sternum hadn’t developed properly, leaving his lungs and heart vulnerable. Winnie would require extensive thoracic reconstruction surgeries to correct this condition.
“The main problem right now is I have to limit what he does because he is at high risk of something happening,” explained Lauren Edwards of Charlotte’s Freedom Farm.
Initially, Winnie was able to play with other dogs at the sanctuary, but their rough play posed too much risk given his condition. This left him without playmates until the arrival of Wilma.
Wilma came to Charlotte’s Freedom Farm after being found wandering alone outdoors. Rescuers suspected she had jumped off a livestock truck, fitting well with her spirited personality.
“She is sweet, but, oh man, she’s sassy,” Edwards said. “If you pick her up, she screams so loud I’m sure they can hear her a street over. She figured out how to jump up on the couch and loves doing that.”
Almost immediately upon her arrival, Wilma made her strong preference known – she adored Winnie and chose him as her official best friend.
“They met right when she came actually and were playing within minutes,” Edwards said. “They see each other and instantly go into play mode – it’s quite cute.”
Wilma interacts with Winnie differently than the other dogs, making it a safer playmate choice for him. Edwards, however, keeps a watchful eye on their playtime, ensuring Winnie’s safety. Despite the limitations, their friendship remains undiminished, and they cherish every moment together.
“They hang outside as well, but she’s very focused on rooting around for insects,” Edwards said. “He just sits and hangs out and watches her when they’re outside.”
Wilma turned out to be exactly what Winnie needed, and in return, he has helped her adjust to her new life at the sanctuary.
“He definitely helped her feel more comfortable coming here,” Edwards noted. “She’s still being quarantined from the other pigs (just protocol — for safety), so she gets a good friend this way and isn’t lonely. And he lost his dog sister playtime … so this way he still has a play buddy. It works out for both of them!”
Winnie and Wilma may appear to be an unlikely pair of best friends, but in reality, they are a perfect match. Their friendship is bound to endure, even as Wilma continues to grow much larger than Winnie.
