“He wants to take care of her. Every day before bed they have a complete ritual.”
At Old Souls Animal Rescue nursing home in Arizona (USA), the routine of elderly dogs is peaceful and full of affection.
But two residents in particular catch the attention of those who visit the place: the little chihuahua Teddy Swims and the pitbull Mimi.
Despite their difference in size, age, and energy, they formed an inseparable pair and form one of the most adorable bonds in the shelter.
Teddy, who’s about 15, has decided that Mimi, a 12- to 14-year-old pit bull, is his daughter. And, like a good, devoted father, he has a daily mission: to give the giant dog his “skincare ritual.”
“He wants to take care of her. Every day before bed they have a complete ritual,” said Paula, the shelter’s founder, in an interview with GeoBeats .
“He follows her in a very gentle way, always waiting for her to lie down so he can clean her face. As if he wants to take care of her.”
The gesture is so frequent that it has become the duo’s trademark. As Mimi relaxes, the little Chihuahua carefully approaches and begins licking her face with dedication.
The “baby hippo”
Mimi arrived at Old Souls Animal Rescue after being found abandoned in a park, covered in tumors.
“She was in a shelter, left there, and no one came to get her. Maybe she had a few babies in her life, and when she finished having them, they didn’t want her anymore,” Paula said.
The shelter staff, which rescues elderly animals, those with special needs and those in palliative care, decided to take her in immediately.
“The feeling we get when we see her makes us want to hug her,” he said.
Today, Mimi is affectionately known as “Baby Hippo” for her robust build and ever-smiling expression. Her lolling tongue and gentle gaze have won hearts both inside and outside the shelter.
She even earned a special title: “Chief Happiness Expert” at Cholla Afterlife, a space that offers comfort to families saying goodbye to their pets.
“It may be sad here in a hospice, but she brings us happiness and comfort,” Paula explained. “She’s deaf, but that doesn’t change anything. I still talk to her all the time. Maybe she feels what I’m saying.”
In recent months, Mimi has struggled to walk due to arthritis, but she continues to receive intensive care and lots of affection. And, of course, a daily “facial” from Teddy Swims, her little personal nurse.
“I really value the time we spend together, because I know we won’t have much longer. But I tell her I love her very much and that we will be together forever. When she goes to the bridge, she has written orders not to cross without me.”
A gesture that speaks of love
For Paula, there is a lot to learn from this experience.
“The fact that she lets Teddy lick her entire face and is so patient shows how much she understands that he likes it,” she said.
Mimi’s patience and Teddy’s dedication reflect a natural instinct in dogs , as the specialist website Dogster explains . According to the article, licking another dog’s face is a way of showing affection and strengthening social bonds , similar to a human kiss.
Dogs are highly social animals and use various forms of body language to promote harmony and avoid conflict. Licking another dog’s face, especially when done calmly and frequently, can have three main meanings:
- Affection and bonding: licking stimulates the release of endorphins, feel-good hormones, in both the licker and the recipient. It’s a way to express affection and strengthen the bond between them.
- Playfulness and invitation: behavior may indicate a willingness to interact and play, often accompanied by wagging tails and a relaxed posture.
- Respect and deference: In dog groups, the lower-ranking dog may lick the more dominant one to show respect and maintain harmony.
