A ROTTWEILER dog and a tiny piglet cuddle up as if they were family after the baby runt was dismissed by its own mother.
Surrogate mum Sasha, an eight-year-old Rottweiler, took on motherly duties for grunter Apple Sauce – a tiny Belgium Blue – and seems to be taking the adoption in her stride.
Lonely Apple Sauce was one of 11 piglets but unwanted by her own mother she had her bacon saved when Sasha fell in love with her after being introduced to the one -and-a-half-year-old dog by owner Heidi Rhiann.
And the unlikely relationship has made the wrinkly piggy a genuine sausage dog. In these adorable images Apple Sauce can even be seen trying to suckle from her gigantic new mum.
The two animals live together in Pont Llogel, near Lake Vyrnwy, where pig breeder owner Heidi Rhiann, runs a catering business.
Caring Heidi owned a pig that gave birth to 13 piglets. She has managed to give a few away but Apple Sauce was the runt of the remaining herd – introducing her to Sasha was her one last chance of survival.
Heidi told the County Times: “We didn’t know what to do so we thought we would give Apple Sauce one last chance and introduce her to our dog.
“We rubbed her in one of the puppies blankets to leave her with the same scent and just left them to become acquainted.
“A couple of hours later we came back to find Apple Sauce suckling on Sasha.
“We hope the bond continues, so far though Sasha is the best mother you can imagine. She immediately fell in love with the piggy.
“Days later she started lactating again and giving milk for the piggy. She obviously regards it now as her own baby.”
Mum of the year? Quite possibly!