Hommaker

Lonely Duck Thrives with New Companions

Meet Honey, a duck who lives in a small town in Washington with her family, their dogs, and other ducks.
Honey was born with a kink in her neck because a previous caretaker didn’t provide enough nutrients during incubation. Fortunately, this condition isn’t painful, and as her mom, Alma Ackermann, told The Dodo, Honey lives a “healthy, happy life.”
However, Honey’s disability has led the other ducks to exclude her from mealtimes and social activities.
To ensure Honey didn’t feel too lonely, Ackermann introduced her to the 4-week-old puppies she was raising. She wasn’t sure how they would interact but decided it was worth a try.
To her delight, Honey and the puppies were instantly smitten with each other. When they first met, the puppies jumped around Honey, sniffing her and wagging their tails. Honey seemed overwhelmed with joy at the affection they showed her.
“She just wanted to love them,” Ackermann shared.
Ackermann believes one reason for their bond is their similar height. Due to the kink in her neck, Honey can’t stretch as tall as the other ducks, but she and the puppies are at the same level.
Additionally, Honey has always had a sweet, puppy-like personality, making her fit right in. She loves running up to people to greet them, just like a puppy.
Now, Honey spends time with the puppies every day, caring for them and grooming them like a mother would.
“[She] feels like [their] mommy,” Ackermann said.
Honey has even adopted some puppy-like behaviors. When excited, she wags her tail, much like her canine friends.
Seeing Honey embrace the puppies has been heartwarming for Ackermann. Despite not feeling included by her own kind, the puppies gave Honey a chance to feel loved.
“I always say, every animal deserves a chance,” Ackermann said.

NEXT: Abandoned Mama Dog and Her 12 Puppies Find Hope with Rescue Group

When One of A Kind Pet Rescue heard about Violet’s story, their hearts broke for her. The sweet mama dog had been abandoned after giving birth to a large litter of 12 puppies, which evidently proved too much for her former family. Faced with an unthinkable situation, they left her behind. "I was contacted by a woman in Columbus who is a friend of my daughter," Tanya Jonda, executive director of One of A Kind Pet Rescue, told The Dodo. "She took the mama and puppies in after seeing a post on Facebook by someone who claimed they were dumped on their property." Despite knowing the challenge ahead, Jonda couldn’t refuse to help Violet and her brood, so she immediately agreed to take them all in. When Violet arrived, she was incredibly thin, blind in one eye, and covered in fleas. Nonetheless, she remained a terrific mom to all 12 of her puppies and seemed grateful for the assistance in keeping them safe. “They were incredibly healthy, which we attribute to Violet caring for them so well,” Jonda said. “We gave the puppies names that start with ‘V.’ For being such a large litter, they get along very well and always pile up together when sleeping, perhaps due to their abandonment and need for comfort.” Since their rescue, the puppies have thrived and are growing into healthy, energetic dogs. Six have already been adopted, leaving half of the group — and their mom — still looking for homes. “Violet is a lovely girl with a wonderful disposition,” Jonda said. “She loves all people and other dogs. She was a wonderful mother and is scheduled to receive her vetting the first week of May. She will then be available for adoption.” Despite their rough start, Violet and her puppies are now thriving and eagerly await their loving forever homes.

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