“It’s the perfect size — like her puppies might be.”
Andi’s favorite toy is a small pink pig that squeaks like a newborn puppy. The 4-year-old rescue would go to any length for her pig, including feeding it.
“Andi discovered the pig in the toy bin and immediately began crying and squeaking it in her mouth,” Andi’s mother, Jennifer Tripucka, told The Dodo. “She’d then carry it around the house, circling, crying, and protecting it.”
Tripucka couldn’t understand why her rescued shih tzu, who had previously been used to breed, needed to care for and protect her toy pig. However, four days after being spayed, a veterinarian confirmed that Andi was suffering from a “phantom pregnancy,” which can occur in female dogs following surgery.
When the usually agreeable Andi snapped at her siblings every time they came near her prized pig, Tripucka knew something was wrong. Andi desired sole custody of the infant.
“She also attempts to nurse [the pig],” Tripucka explained. “Sometimes she forgets about it, leaves the area where it is, and circles around crying, looking for it.” Then she finds it and moves on to a new nesting location. It’s the perfect size — just like her puppies.”
Here’s a video of Andi with her toy pig:
@thejennifertrip Such a good mommy 🫠🫶 #dogsoftiktok #dogsoftiktokviral #dogs #phantompregnancy #rescuedog #dogmom #veterinarian #doglover #shihtzu #puppies #puppytiktok #hoboken ♬ Aesthetic – Tollan Kim
Andi is Tripucka’s second Wise Animal Rescue rescue, following big brother Finn. The adorable pup also has a senior dog brother, Pierre, who is battling cancer.
“She’s basically a therapy dog to the other two pups,” Tripucka explained. “She’s also a therapy dog for us as we deal with the loss of our older dog.”
Andi’s heart clearly has room for her parents, siblings, and her toy pig “baby.”
“This little girl unexpectedly came into our lives at a time when I really needed an additional sweet soul to add to our pack,” Tripucka explained. “She is the most gentle, loving, and wonderful puppy you could ever imagine.” I couldn’t imagine my life without her.”
My chihuahua, Bella, did the same thing after being spayed! She has a very soft rubber ball that looks like a sheep. She “nursed it, licked on it and would not let it away from her. When it squeaks its very high pitched squeal and if it’s in my hand She will claw my hand to get it back. She thinks it squeals from me taking it. Lol Now, she is still very attached but not nursing it. We play with it like a ball now but she still goes nuts when it’s made to squeal like a baby. Our furbabies are so good to us humans. I love mine so much!