Orphaned Wolf and Shelter Dog Form a Heartwarming Bond at Kansas Zoo—See the 'Perfect Pairing' Here

A young shelter dog named Slinky has formed a unique bond with an orphaned wolf pup named Amora at the Sedgwick County Zoo in Wichita, Kansas. Their human caretakers describe Slinky and Amora's unlikely mentorship as the "perfect pairing," and it is truly heartwarming.

The bond began when Slinky, a three-month-old brindle mix, was taken in by the Kansas Humane Society on the same day that Amora, a maned wolf, was born at the Sedgwick County Zoo. Since Amora's mother had passed, the zookeepers were searching for a furry companion to stay by her side as she grows.

"Maned wolves are naturally solitary, but young pups need companionship to develop properly," according to the Sedgwick County Zoo's Facebook post. "Without a mother or sibling, it is challenging for her to learn the natural behaviors she will need to thrive as a maned wolf." Slinky was the perfect partner for Amora, as he, too, needed a companion after his sister was adopted, leaving him all alone.

The Kansas Humane Society posted the story of Slinky and Amora on their social media, highlighting the bond they were destined to form. A furry companion is essential for maned wolf pups because without them they could become too reliant on human caretakers, inhibiting them from returning to the wild. Once Amora is old enough to be integrated back into the wild, Slinky will retire from his role as a wolf pup mentor and be adopted by one of the Sedgwick County Zoo employees.

Viewers online and in the community have embraced this heartwarming story and shared their reactions in the comments. "This is the best story ever! There needs to be a children's book written about this!" one person said. We couldn't agree more.