Don Pepe, a dog with an unusual tongue, was discovered abandoned in a crate outside the Mistley animal rescue center in 2020, his “owners” no longer desiring him. The unfortunate animal was not used to getting human attention, nor did he know what it was like to live in a true home. Rescuers assumed the dog came from a puppy mill.
Regardless, the homeless dog adapted quickly and readily made friends with the other animals at the shelter; he is quite gregarious, and no one criticized him for his amusing tongue. Everyone expected him to find a family immediately, but he didn’t.
The dog’s new mother, Khaya Castagnoli, told The Dodo that Don Pepe had been in the shelter for six months before she adopted him. Nobody paid attention to him since they didn’t like his appearance, particularly his tongue.
Don Pepe is an ancient dog that no longer has many teeth in his mouth, making it difficult for him to keep his long tongue inside. However, as soon as Khaya saw Don Pepe and saw that his funny tongue didn’t affect her at all, she knew he was the right partner for her.
The cute dog has a new home in London after being adopted. His language is as erratic as ever. It’s obvious that the small dog has little or no control over it, therefore he frequently makes funny faces.
“Sometimes I feel like he’s moving his tongue, but I’m not sure if it’s purposeful or unintentional,” Khaya adds. He still does a few licks, so I believe he has some control over that, but none of it prevents him from living his life quietly. If something bothers him, he always finds a solution.”
The mother stated that he has difficulty eating his favorite meal, peas, since they roll about too much and he has difficulty catching them. But otherwise, he manages his diet very well. Her tongue was virtually always protruding. Furthermore, he only enters in when he barks (which isn’t very frequently)!
His language had always been an issue for him, but that has changed, and he is now around people who do not judge him based on his appearance. Passers-by cannot help but smile when they see Don Pepe and his funny tongue. Khaya is overjoyed that people accept and love him just as he is.
Finally, she emphasizes that this dog is always ready to provide affection and make people smile . He brightens the day of anybody who encounters him.
