A rodent-hunting dog who defied his own nature to become best friends with a domestic rat has been left heartbroken after the rodent’s death.
Best buddies Pippin the ‘puggle’ – a beagle crossed with a pug – and Leia the rat loved playing hide and seek together and cuddling on the sofa.
Owners Hayley Lopez, 22, and Tyler Lopez, 21, shared a clip from happier times of the pair playing together in the living room at their home in Washington State shortly after Leia died.
Hayley Lopez, 22, claims Pippin, her beagle and pug crossbreed dog, was best friends with a domestic rat called Leia (pictured together)
The animal lover posted a clip of the pooch being chased by the rat before cuddling at their home in Washington
Mr and Mrs Lopez said the pair were inseparable and bonded instantly when Hayley brought Leia home three years ago.
Animal lover Mrs Lopez said: ‘I work in a pet shop and Leia was the last one in the litter so I brought her home. It was the best decision I ever made.
‘Pippin would not stop staring at the cage. He was so interested. I took Leia out and put her on the couch and Pippin just ran over and started playing.
‘Leia really liked to nibbling on Pippin’s toenails and Pippin would jump around and she would go for his feet.
‘They would always chase each other around. They were best friends and attached at the hip. Pippin would watch the cage and it was like they would be having a conversation.’
Mrs Lopez, pictured here with Leia, says Pippin has been left heartbroken after the rat died a few months ago
She even claims that the pooch would recognise Leia’s name and run to her cage to play with her.
Mrs Lopez, who has 12 pet rats and also breeds them, added: ‘When she passed away he would still watch the cage and would get really sad when she did not come by.
‘He went out to her grave in the back yard. He really felt her loss.
‘I think he could smell her. He went over to the grave and would not leave. He sat there in the rain for about half an hour. I think he was saying goodbye.’
Pippin’s behaviour is quite unusual for a part beagle dog as they have been used in the past to hunt rats.
Pippin’s behaviour is quite unusual for a part beagle dog as they have been used in the past to hunt rats
Mrs Lopez said: ‘Leia really liked to nibbling on Pippin’s toenails and Pippin would jump around and she would go for his feet’