Meet Honey. She’s a duck who lives in a small town in Washington with her family, their dogs and their other ducks.
Honey was born with a kink in her neck because a previous caretaker didn’t provide her with enough nutrients while she was incubating. Thankfully, her condition isn’t painful — her mom, Alma Ackermann, told The Dodo that Honey lives a “healthy, happy life.”
Unfortunately, though, because of her disability, the Ackermanns’ other ducks tend to exclude Honey from their mealtimes and social activities.
Not wanting Honey to feel too lonely, Ackermann decided to introduce her to the 4-week-old puppies she’d been raising. She wasn’t sure how they would get along but figured it was worth a try.
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It turns out Honey and the puppies were instantly smitten with each other. The first time they met, the puppies jumped all over Honey, sniffing her and wagging their tails. Honey looked overwhelmed with joy at how much affection they were showing her.
“She just wanted to love them,” Ackermann said.
Ackermann has a theory that one of the reasons Honey gets along so well with the puppies is that they’re about the same height. Because of the kink in her neck, she can’t stretch as tall as the other ducks. But she and the puppies are right at the same level.
She’s also always had a sweet, puppy-like personality, so she fits right in. She loves running up to people to greet them, the way a puppy would.
Now, Honey spends time with the puppies every day. She cares for them and grooms them — the way a mother would.
“[She] feels like [their] mommy,” Ackermann said.
Honey has even taken on some puppy-like mannerisms. Ackermann said that when she gets excited about something, “she’ll [wag] her tail.”
Honey and the puppies embracing each other has been touching for Ackermann to witness. Even though Honey didn’t feel included by her own kind, the puppies gave her a chance to feel loved.
“I always say, every animal deserves a chance,” Ackermann said.
