Beauty in Art

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 centre at Buckfastleigh, near Totnes, Devon.

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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."

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Billy the boxer protects his little kid

Lilly was the smallest of a litter of three kids 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 centre and the staff are keen to see how their relationship will develop.

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• #4 Comment from gehi6 
  5/11/08 7:14 PM | Permalink

  These photos show such tenderness from the dog to the little goat! We had a dog, an auburn hunting dog and a pet pig, a razor back hog, the runt, who became buddies.  It was hilarious to see the dog eating mash and the pig chasing cars with the dog who could not be broken from this dangerous past time.  Pig also went to help round up the milk cows with dog.  Gerry
• #3 Comment from lanurseprn 
  5/7/08 8:59 AM | Permalink

  I LOVED this story! It made my morning! Thank you!
  Pam
• #2 Comment from rdautumnsage 
  5/6/08 3:47 PM | Permalink

  It's amazing how the animal kingdom is so acceptable of another species. Too bad humans couldn't learn to be more like them. (Hugs) Indigo
  http://journals.aol.com/rdautumnsage/ravens-lament/
• #1 Comment from nhd106 
  5/6/08 7:50 AM | Permalink

  I can barely stand the cuteness!!!!!   Love it.
  
  Nancy