Special Needs Puppy Gets ‘Snuggle Puppy’ to Keep Her Company, Is Best Friends with it Years Later

This story was submitted as part of the Fur-tastic Scrapbook contest. Winners will receive $500, plus $2,000 in cash and supplies for their favorite rescue. You can vote for your favorite finalist through August 1 here!

Our sweet Reese was born with a cleft palate and congenital abnormalities to her eyes. Because of her genetic defects, she had to be separated from her mother and littermates to come to our home so she could be tube fed round the clock as her only chance of survival.

When she was just a few days old, we bought her a snuggle puppy with a simulated heartbeat to keep her company. Her snuggle puppy immediately became her best friend. She slept with him every night and nursed on him for comfort. As she got older, she became more and more independent, but each night, she would track down her snuggle puppy and cuddle up with him before falling asleep.

At three months of age, Reese’s right eye had to be removed due to glaucoma. Snuggle puppy was a constant companion and stayed with her during her entire recovery. After caring for hundreds of fosters, Reese and her snuggle puppy became our family’s first “foster fails.”

She is now 3-years-old and snuggle puppy is never too far away! Just ask Reese where her baby is and she will excitedly find him and go trotting through the house. You can tell by his appearance he is well loved, but she is so gentle and has never torn him. Who knew they would be best friends forever?

Story submitted by Tabitha Browy in support of Animal House Shelter. Vote for your favorite Fur-tastic Scrapbook story here!