Toddler, Puppy Both Have Cleft Lips, Now Are Best Buds

A trip to the animal shelter resulted in the perfect addition to the Boyers family. By Austin Cannon September 08, 2020 Advertisement Pin FB More Tweet Email Send Text Message Print

A Michigan toddler found his new best friend last week, a dog who can relate to what the 2-year-old has already gone through in his short life.

Bentley Boyers and his dad were at the Jackson County Animal Shelter looking for chickens initially, WILX reports. But the father soon found a puppy with a cleft lip, the same condition his son was born with. 

It sure seemed like fate. 

Michigan boy kissing dog Credit: Courtesy of Jackson County Animal Shelter – Michigan

“He Facetimed me,” Bentley’s mom, Ashley Boyers, told the television station. “He goes, ‘I think this one has a cleft lip,’ and I said, ‘Get her!’ We need her!” 

Bentley has already undergone two surgeries for his cleft lip with more on the way, but his new puppy, only 2 months old, knows what it’s like to experience similar challenges.

Michigan boy with dog and big smiles Credit: Courtesy of Jackson County Animal Shelter – Michigan

“To see him have something in common with a puppy means a lot ’cause he can grow up and understand that he and his puppy both have something that they can share in common,” Ashley Boyers told WILX. 

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, a cleft lip occurs when the tissue that would normally make up the lip doesn’t join before birth, leaving an opening that goes through the lip up into the nose. 

Both Bentley and the puppy are doing well. 

“Her disability is really not holding her back,” Animal Services Director Lydia Sattler told WILX.  “And as she grows, they’ll be able to see more if there’s any change that has to do with that. But she’s really doing well. She might look a little different than a normal dog would, but it’s not slowing her down at all.”   

Sattler’s shelter couldn’t wait to post the joyous news on Facebook. The photos show plenty of cuddling and a smiling Bently. 

“They instantly loved each other,” the shelter writes. “We wish many years of joy as this special pair grow[s] up together!”