Billy & Lilly

"Until one has loved an animal, part of their soul remains unawakened."

 

A paternal dog has adopted an abandoned baby goat as his surrogate child.

Billy the boxer has become the constant companion of the 12-day old kid called Lilly.

He sleeps with the goat, licks her clean, and protects her from any dangers at

Pennywell Farm wildlife center at Buckfastleigh, near Totnes, Devon.

 

 

Billy and Lilly have formed a close bond

The kid was abandoned by her mother when she was only a few hours old and adopted

by paternal Billy when his owner Elizabeth Tozer began hand rearing the goat.

 

 

The unusual bond has developed over the last month and the pair are now inseparable.

Elizabeth said: "Lilly follows Billy around which is really quite amusing to watch and Billy sleeps with the goat and cleans her mouth after she feeds."

 

 

Billy the boxer protects his little kid

Lilly was the smallest of a litter of three and her mother abandoned her because she could only care for the two stronger ones. The pair have attracted quite a crowd at the animal center and the staff are anxious to see how their relationship will develop.