Raylan, a rescue dog, has served in a critical role for the past seven years. Hundreds of kittens are cared for by the lively shepherd mix, who treats each one as if it were his own child.
Raylan has always been a dog that enjoys being occupied, and caring for kittens provides him with that purpose.
“Raylan is always so happy and so excited when a new foster arrives, and he spends so much time watching them, cleaning them and winning them over,” Laura Tindal, Raylan’s mom, told The Dodo. “They play, cuddle and amuse each other, which is so important for [Raylan’s] mental stimulation.”
“He’s not the kind of dog to just lie quietly on his bed for hours,” she added. “He gets bored quickly and needs things to do.”
Tindal just adopted Ron and Hermione, a cat brother and sister. The kittens were found alone, underweight, and dehydrated in a garage.
Ron, in particular, was definitely missing his mother. Raylan walked up to the plate at that point.
Raylan fell in love with Ron — and Ron with Raylan — while Tindal focused on keeping the kittens healthy.
“Both kittens adore Raylan, but Ron is particularly fond of him,” Tindal explained. “[He] wanted to be crawling on him all the time, caressing him, and being as near to him as possible.”
When Raylan scoops him up and carries him about in his mouth, Ron is ecstatic. Raylan is delighted to help because the simple gesture appears to provide Ron peace.
“Raylan frequently carries our foster kittens around in his mouth like a mother dog, and Ron was not only the ideal size, but he really enjoys it!” Tindal explained. “It’s impossible to get much closer than within his mouth.” As a result, Raylan is always lugging Ron around.”
“When Ron wants to be picked up, he’ll come up to Raylan’s head and meow and stare up at him, looping back and forth,” she explained. “Raylan will practically rub up against his mouth until he is scooped up if he is lying down…
Raylan will then generally take him to his bed or sofa and begin cleaning him, or they will simply snuggle up for asleep. It’s very cute.”
Raylan understands how it feels to have a rocky start in life. When he was two years old, his former family abandoned him in a shelter in Northern Ontario. He hadn’t gotten the care or attention he required as an energetic, interested dog, but he was a quick study.
Tindal explained, “He was snatched out of the facility hours before he was due to be killed.” “When he arrived at my house, he had no training — he didn’t know how to sit, walk on a leash, or answer to his name — but he was so clever and engaging, ready to learn and entirely relaxed about every new experience.”
Raylan and his mother are now on a mission to assist abandoned kittens receive the care they need. Ron and Hermione have matured quickly as a result of their love, and they have lately acquired a house – together.
Ron will always hold a particular place in the big dog’s heart, but he is looking forward to meeting the next group of wonderful tiny kittens.
