Don Pepe was found abandoned outside Mistley Animal Rescue Center, in the autumn of 2020. He was not comfortable being indoors, nor was he used to receiving affection. His rescuers thought he was from a puppy mill. Although he was able to get used to being indoors immediately, his shelter friends hoped that he would soon find a home. Unfortunately, this did not happen.
“He was at the shelter for about five months before I adopted him,” Khaya Castagnoli, Don Pepe’s mom said. “People had been passing him up because of his tongue.”
Don Pepe’s long tongue is difficult to maintain due to his old age and lack of teeth. Castagnoli was immediately drawn to Don Pepe’s wild tongue and knew that she wanted him to be her adopted child. He has a unique look that not everyone likes.
Don Pepe is now living in London with his mother. His tongue is as wild as ever. This small, old dog can’t control its behavior because it is constantly in funny situations or is even blown about by windy days.
“Sometimes I swear it seems like he waves with his tongue, but whether this is voluntary or involuntary, I’m not sure,” Castagnoli said. “He does give licks still, so he does have some control over it.”
Don Pepe’s tongue rarely hinders him from leading a fulfilling life, and even when it does, he manages to get around it.
“Sometimes he struggles with eating his [favorite] snack — peas — because they roll around too much,” Castagnoli said. “But otherwise, he manages his food just fine. His tongue is pretty much out all the time. It is rare that I see it come in except when he barks. I think it’s an effort for him to hold it in as he only has two teeth left.”
Even if Don Pepe’s tongue did not impress adopters, it now only makes people happy. Castagnoli is delighted that people love Don Pepe. It’s funny how people can’t help but giggle at his silly tongue.
“He definitely cheers people up — you can’t look at him and not smile,” Castagnoli said. “A lot of children ask if they can touch his tongue, they’re enchanted by it. Some don’t [recognize] him as a dog but think he’s some creature they’ve never heard of. They ask why his tongue is always out — it’s a good opportunity to talk about animal rescue.”
Castagnoli is so grateful to Don Pepe for all he is, tongues and all.
SOURCE : THE DODO
