Two dogs with facial deformities have developed an unbreakable bond after being adopted into the same family for five years.
Picasso and Newt, the two unique dogs, live with Liesl Wilhardt, the 53-year-old founder and director of Luvable Dog Rescue, on her 55-acre property in Eugene, Oregon. Picasso was adopted by Liesl in 2017 following the tragic passing of his brother, Pablo. Newt joined the family in 2021. According to Liesl, these two dogs are now practically inseparable.
Five-year-old Picasso was born with a condition called wrymouth, which causes one side of the jaw to grow more than the other, giving him a crooked appearance reminiscent of a Picasso painting. While this condition can occur in various animals and doesn’t cause discomfort, it can make life more challenging and reduce the chances of adoption.
Newt, on the other hand, lost his upper jaw in an accident involving his mother, who bit him.
“It was a miracle that Picasso survived as a puppy, as it was difficult for him to even suckle from his mother,” Liesl shared.
Despite their deformities, both dogs now live happy lives.
“Picasso and Newt both love people and are very outgoing and attention-seeking in public. They love greeting people,” Liesl said. “Most people do a double-take and then stare at them, trying to understand what they’re seeing.”
“They’re not in any pain; they’ve adapted to their physical challenges and can do almost everything they want.”
Liesl expressed her affection for the dogs, saying, “I loved Picasso and Newt from the start. Newt loves to play and wrestle, and he’s very good-natured. Their friendship has grown as Newt has matured. I love them both with all my heart—they are incredibly loving, happy, intelligent, and playful dogs.”
Liesl often shares glimpses of their life and friendship through videos of their daily activities, including playing, feeding, hiking, and picking berries.
Picasso even has his own Instagram account, boasting nearly 400,000 followers.
Back in 2017, Liesl described Picasso as “a very special dog with an exceptional temperament.” She fell in love with him instantly. Picasso is trained as a certified therapy dog and serves as an ambassador for Luvable Dog Rescue.
Reflecting on Picasso’s journey, Liesl said, “I love this boy so much, and he’s had a very difficult life so far. I want the rest of his life to be amazing.”
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