I understand what you might assume: Oh, look… a unicorn tail! I wonder if it sparkles and gleams?
Wait a moment. I’m not referring to enchanting unicorns from animations. While that would be fascinating, Narwhal is not akin to those mythical beings.
However, he does possess some enchantment within him.
This little dog has two tails, and they aren’t located at the same end. One glance at him and you’ll be smitten!
The Enchanting Rescue
You may have heard the tale of Strawberry, the unicorn Pitbull. She had a growth on her forehead due to trauma.
Narwhal is quite similar to Strawberry, though the growth on his forehead is less noticeable.
It was a chilly, wet day in Jackson, Missouri, when Narwhal was discovered near the Mac’s Mission rescue center. He was looking for warmth and shelter alongside an older dog, utterly forsaken by their humans.
Narwhal needed to be saved. Only heaven knows how long he would last without food and warmth.
Fortunately, the rescuers noticed this adorable puffball and brought him inside.
Yet, they were unaware they were in for an extraordinary surprise.
Narwhal was not your typical puppy. Certainly, he was incredibly sweet with those large puppy eyes and velvety-soft coat, but something else was mystifying about him.
This pup had a tiny tail on his forehead, positioned right between his eyes!
The rescuers initially believed it was merely a clump of hair. However, upon closer inspection, they realized it was indeed a small tail. Who could have imagined?
The veterinarian assessed Narwhal and determined that the puppy was in fine condition. The little front tail served no purpose.
Online, many were thrilled about Narwhal after the rescue center shared his photo. Everyone was curious if that tail wiggled, too.
“It appears they assembled the puppy wrong. Always adhere to the guidelines, folks!” remarked Dr. Heuring, the veterinarian at Mac’s Mission center.
Doctor Margaret Casa, from the University of Pennsylvania School of Veterinary Medicine, clarified why Narwhal was born with a tail located between his eyes:
“Identical twins typically form when an embryo divides in two shortly after fertilization. Occasionally, this division occurs too late in the pregnancy, resulting in the halves not separating entirely, which leads to conjoined twins. In even rarer instances, this late split occurs asymmetrically, meaning one half of the embryo develops into a fully-formed being while the other becomes an additional body part.”
They all agreed it would be preferable to leave the tail intact. If it turns out that the tail causes Narwhal discomfort, removing it would be a simple procedure.
Three Years Later
Narwhal and his older companion were saved back in 2019. The puppy was in excellent condition and was on track to find a permanent home shortly.
However, fate had different intentions for Narwhal.
The wonderful folks at Mac’s Mission decided Narwhal should remain with them.
The unicorn pup was appointed as the spokesperson for Mac’s Mission rescue organization.
Still, life was not straightforward for Narwhal.
Once his pictures became popular, some individuals attempted to contact the shelter and harm Narwhal because they viewed him as a grotesque creature.
What a disgrace!
Narwhal demonstrated to everyone that he’s the kindest pup imaginable!
Currently, Narwhal enjoys a normal, joyful existence. Rochelle Steffen, the founder of Mac’s Mission, officially adopted the pup, although he tends to spend more hours at the center. He relishes the events organized by Mac’s Mission, thrives on meeting new people, and sharing affection.
Narwhal cherishes life!
He conveys a vital lesson to us all: being different is wonderful