Two deformed dogs have become best friends after the same family adopted them five years apart.
Founder and director of Luvable Dog Rescue, Liesl Wilhardt, 53, has shared a look into Picasso and Newt’s unbreakable friendship.
Both dogs have facial deformities, and live with Wilhardt on 55 acres of land at their home in Eugene, Oregon
Liesl adopted Picasso in 2017 after the sudden passing of his brother – Pablo – and later adopted Newt in 2021, and before long the two became inseparable.
Picasso, five years old, was born with a twisted snout, while one-year-old Newt suffered an injury from his mother biting him that left him with no upper jaw.
Picasso’s condition called wry mouth, which causes one side of the jaw to grow more than the other, leading to a distorted look that closely resembles the pieces of art created by his namesake, Pablo Picasso.
The medical condition can happen to a variety of other animal species as well as dogs and doesn’t cause any pain – but it does make it much harder for pets to be adopted.
Despite daily challenges as a result of their deformities and Newt’s medical issues, the pair now lead very happy lives.
Wilhardt gave her followers a glimpse into their friendship with a series of clips from their day to day activities, including feeding, playing together, walks and picking for berries.
‘It was a miracle that Picasso survived being a baby, because it would have been very hard for him to even nurse from his mother,’ Liesl said.
‘Newt has had many more challenges, surprisingly the bigger challenges not being caused by his lack of upper jaw.
‘Both Picasso and Newt adore people, so in public they are very outgoing and seek attention and love to greet people.
‘Most people do immediate double takes and then stare at the dogs for a while, trying to make sense of what they are seeing.
‘They are not in any pain; they have adapted to their physical challenges and do almost everything they want to do.
‘Picasso loved Newt from the beginning because Newt loves to play and wrestle and is so good natured. This friendship has deepened as Newt matured.
‘I absolutely love Picasso and Newt with all my heart, they are both incredibly loving, happy, intelligent, and funny dogs.’
Picasso even has his own Instagram account, where he entertains over 274,000 followers.
Liesl has rescued hundreds of disabled animals and owns 55 acres of forest land where she provides the perfect home for dogs, cats, chickens and even pigs – one of whom is best friends with Picasso.
Some of the other pets include five Pit bulls named Buddha, Nenna, Piggy, Owl and Maverick, as well as a pug-chihuahua mix named Hazel.
Liesl has also rescued five pigs; Bernard who is a KuneKune, Debbie, an enormous Yorkshire pig, JackJack, a KuneKune, and Donut and Nanners, who are Yorkshire pig mixes.
Brood: Liesl has rescued hundreds of dogs and other animals over the years
The rescue center has also taken on several cats and their litters, and Liesl herself has adopted ten dogs and rescued a pig called Pax.
Most of the pooches come from overcrowded shelters in California where there are more animals than homes available, including Picasso.
The devoted animal lover, who lives on the land where the center is located, spends several hours a day preparing food for the animals, feeding them and cleaning.
Many of the dogs have a variety of health conditions and need surgery or amputations, which she pays for.
Liesl in 2021 said she has employed six people to help care for the animals full-time, all of whom regularly take the dogs out for daily hikes.
Other volunteers come throughout the week to walk the dogs, play with the pigs and socialize with the cats and kittens.
Speaking in 2017, Liesl – who founded Luvable Dog Rescue 22 years ago – said of Picasso: ‘Picasso is a very special dog, with an exceptional temperament.
Realising she had fallen in love with Picasso, she realised she wanted to keep him as one of her own. Now Picasso spends his days helping those with disabilities or ill as part of Liesl’s rescue programme. Pictured: Picasso interacts with a woman in a wheelchair as part of the program
‘I just fell in love with him as soon as I saw him. He is training as a certified therapy dog and also serves as a Luvable Dog Rescue ambassador.
‘He lives in my home with nine other rescued dogs. Picasso is courageously going forward with his therapy and service dog training without his brother by his side for the first time in his life.
‘When Pablo died it was absolutely heartbreaking. They were so close. They had always been together.’
She said that at the time Picasso spends his days helping those with disabilities or illnesses as part of Liesl’s rescue programme.
‘We are now working towards getting him officially trained as a rescue dog. He is working with people who are ill or who need help,’ she said.
‘I love this boy so much, and he’s had a hell of a rough life so far. I want the rest of his life to be amazing.’
