We’ve Got Cling-ons, Cap’n!

A dog named Pretinha boldly went where few dogs have gone before: Stepping in to care for a litter of orphaned possums. After their mother was attacked and killed, Stephanie Maldonado tried to get the babies a wildlife rescue group, but was told there was no room. So Pretinha took over and began nursing the possums, who cling to her just like she was their mother.

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https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zRdrGsUfJUI&rel=0

Submitted by A M, Andrew Y., and Murray C. More at The Dodo.

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26 thoughts on “We’ve Got Cling-ons, Cap’n!

  1. allein February 17, 2016 / 10:53 am

    Cutest hat ever.

    Pretinha looks so proud!

  2. Saffron February 17, 2016 / 11:04 am

    If only humans were as kind as this awesome doggeh.

  3. debg February 17, 2016 / 11:46 am

    I don’t normally find possums cute, but this time I’ll make an exception. Good job, Pretinha!

  4. Gigi_the cat lady February 17, 2016 / 1:22 pm

    I wonder if she’ll teach them to fetch sticks and chase cats 😀

    • Lurkingduck February 17, 2016 / 4:38 pm

      Maybe. But will they teach her to hang from branches upside down? And who will teach who to “roll over and play dead”?

      • Faye February 17, 2016 / 5:16 pm

        They are going to teach her to roll over and play opossum!! ?

  5. Murray February 17, 2016 / 1:44 pm

    I just love their little sticky-outs ears. I saw something on this but not the video, which is spectacular.

  6. allein February 17, 2016 / 1:45 pm

    🙂
    (oops, that was supposed to be in reply to Murray)

    • Kar February 17, 2016 / 2:17 pm

      Dear heavens. You could pick up calls to the Kremlin with these.

      • allein February 17, 2016 / 2:48 pm

        lol…most people see that picture and go “what the heck is that?”

        • Faye February 17, 2016 / 2:53 pm

          Such personality and presence in such a tiny being.

          • tara February 17, 2016 / 7:28 pm

            Ah! Oh My! The eeeeears! So cute! Thanks for posting this. 🙂 what a bonus to the inspiration post.

          • allein February 17, 2016 / 7:32 pm

            He hangs above my computer at work. Along with this smiling baby brush-tailed rock wallaby.

            • Faye February 17, 2016 / 7:45 pm

              Clunk! Ded.

            • 6rabbits February 17, 2016 / 8:39 pm

              Those 2 pics have kilt me with teh qte!

            • allein February 17, 2016 / 10:22 pm

              Sorry! I didn’t mean to make anyone ded! :p

    • Faye February 17, 2016 / 2:46 pm

      Hi!!! Got meelks? (Soooo precious).

    • Murray February 17, 2016 / 2:57 pm

      Excellent. I always thought possums were cute and this just vindicates me!

      • allein February 17, 2016 / 3:02 pm

        Just hangin’ around…

    • Murray February 18, 2016 / 12:17 am

      cutest damned thing. I knew someone who saved a couple of possums after the mom was found dead and they clung to his hair wherever he went.

  7. Laura February 17, 2016 / 2:12 pm

    The librarian at my kids’ elementary school was a wildlife rehabber, and for a couple of years she raised wild babies there in the library and kids were rewarded with helping her. Posey the Possum was one of her guests, and I must say she was adorable! And apparently possums live solely by instinct, so being raised by humans — or a sweet doggie — doesn’t affect their ability to be released back to the wild when they grow up. What a wonderful thing that was for the kids — and for Posey — and is for Parinha’s babies!

  8. Faye February 17, 2016 / 2:48 pm

    What a good dog! Who me? Yes you!

  9. amyliz February 17, 2016 / 6:15 pm

    I don’t really find possums cute but all babies need a mama so I’m glad these little ones have sweet Pretinha to full that role!

  10. 6rabbits February 17, 2016 / 8:37 pm

    I think possum BABIES are cute…but not so much the adults.
    It amazes me how dogs will mother just about any other species–quite a special quality!

  11. BB/VA February 17, 2016 / 8:56 pm

    I could swear I hear a purr in there somewhere…

    BTW, possums are our friends. They keep the pit vipers away.

  12. Robert August 7, 2016 / 5:57 pm

    Since the original video seems to have been taken down due to copyright strikes (this is over five months old by now), a quick search shows this alternate from Inside Edition:




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