In celebration of the year-end festive season, Dogster has decided to cast a canine-focused eye back on the most notable and lovable dogs who have helped light up 2013. Each day we’ll be profiling one honorable hound. We’re tagging it “the 12 Dogs of Christmas.”
Without further ado, we begin with …
12. Goldie (and Kate)
Back in May, a South Carolina animal control officer followed a barking sound and stumbled across a scene that seemed like it was straight from a fairy tale: Huddled down a ravine and underneath a bunch of bushes was a Shih Tzu cuddled up with a kitten. The feline was even suckling the canine’s milk.
Duly rescued, once they were safely transported to a local animal shelter, Goldie (the dog) continued to act like the doting mother to Kate (the kitten), who was estimated to be only five weeks old. They would nap, nuzzle, and chow down together. Whenever Kate attempted to get too close to the edge of the cage, Goldie would step up, pick her up with a nip on her neck, and bring her back to perceived safety. (According to the Anderson County PAWS Facebook page, Goldie is the mild-mannered one of the duo, while Kate plays up a feisty attitude.)
The origin of both Goldie and her lil’ pal has never been ascertained — and Goldie’s level of grooming suggests that at one point she belonged to someone — but a happy ending took place when they were fostered. Naturally, they went to their new home together. Goldie, we salute you!
Check back tomorrow for the next of the 12 Dogs of Christmas!
