Bandit, left, and Satchel are as close as a parent and child can be. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
Posted on 12/08/2008 5:35:01 PM PST by SandRat
SIERRA VISTA — In Ralph and Marie Brymer’s household, an unlikely relationship has developed between a 10-month-old beagle and an 8-week-old kitten.
Within days of bringing home the kitten, Satchel, about two weeks ago from the Huachuca City Animal Control Shelter, Ralph caught the beagle, Bandit, nursing Satchel.
The motherly relationship has only continued to develop. We couldn’t even get him to eat kitten food,” Ralph said of the when they first brought the kitten into their home. “When he gets a chance, as you can see, he nurses.
“Bandit just takes care of him as if he’s her own.”
Marie said that when it first happened, they called their vets to make sure it was OK.
“It’s more of a comfort thing for the both of them,” they were told by one.
“It’s uncommon, but it’s not unheard of,” they also heard.
One vet said that while the milk wasn’t the best thing for the kitten, it wouldn’t hurt the kitten.
And Satchel’s name, Marie explained, comes from the way Bandit carries the kitten around.
“Bandit picks him up and carries him around like a satchel,” Marie said.
It was a relationship that would never have developed, Ralph said, had it not been for the Nancy J. Brua Animal Shelter.
About two months after getting Bandit, she was hit by a car, injuring her back, Marie said.
“We didn’t have the money to take her to the vet,” she said.
The shelter was able to help the family afford the medical costs by paying for a portion of them. That ultimately prevented the Brymers from having to put the dog down.
“I just want to thank the (shelters) for letting us have this opportunity,” Ralph said. “This is better than television.”
The mother-like role that Bandit has taken on with Satchel has softened the dog, Ralph said.
“We never expected this dog to do anything like this,” Ralph said, describing Bandit as a dog who got her name because she would steal anything and everything she could get ahold of in the house. “Once she started in with the kitty, it turned her into such a loving, caring dog.
“It’s really mellowed her out.”
Animal shelter open house
The Sierra Vista Animal Care and Control Center is opening its doors Wednesday and featuring pets up for adoption. The event goes from 5 to 8 p.m. at the center, 6799 E. Highway 90.
Adoptions are the highlight of this night, though center’s officers and volunteers will offer light refreshments set out and holiday favors.
The shelter will also hold a raffle for three gift baskets — two for furry friends and one for people.
“We are pleased to open our doors to the community this holiday season,” said staff member Andrea Fisher. “Our community continues to support the Sierra Vista Animal Shelter, and we want to take this opportunity to remind those who don’t know about our Shelter to come out and visit this fantastic facility.”
Pet owners are welcome to bring their animals to the open house and share their stories of adoption and pet care.
Donations of pet supplies are also being taken. Items that are requested include: washable pet beds; cat litter and deodorizer; Purina kitten, cat and dog food; and front load (HE) laundry detergent.
For information, call 458-4151.
Herald/Review reporter Katie Evans can be reached at 515-4611 or by e-mail at katie.evans@svherald.com.
Bandit, left, and Satchel are as close as a parent and child can be. (Mark Levy-Herald/Review)
awwwwwwww——
That is too cute!!!!
awwwwwww......
kitty ping
Love these cute animal posts.....thanks Sandrat
really sweet
Love it! That’s great!
Kitty is oblivious to everything but the milk bar . . . .
?? Doesn’t mean the Beagle isn’t spayed. But what has “nursing” another species have to do with “having a litter”?
Awwwwww...
How sweet!
*THUD*
I am overcome with cuteness!
She does appear to be actually lactating, if you look at her nipples (and read the article), but I’ve heard of limited cases of that being triggered *just* by suckling and the accompanying behaviours. Apparently in some animals it’s enough to trigger lactation hormones.
We’ve got a long-spayed calico who comfort-nurses a year and a half old “kitten” she’s decided is her son. Silly big lummox...at least she isn’t lactating, that we know of, but it makes em both happy sooo.....
Bookmarked. =^..^=
Bookmarked. =^..^=
It’s not just animals. Humans can induce lactation the same way, and often do in the case of adoption, for instance. Google “adoptive breastfeeding”.
I don’t think you even need to “lactate” to look like that. I think the frequent sucking will cause those niples to swell a bit in reaction.
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