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A fawn Great Dane lowers his head to touch noses with a small pink piglet on a green backyard lawn. 14 / 38

A Giant Dog Met a Tiny Piglet for the First Time. Gently.

AI imagegreat danepigletfirst meeting

On a bright patch of lawn, two very different animals are meeting for the very first time. A towering fawn Great Dane bends his huge head down, wrinkled brow soft, until his dark nose just touches the snout of a small pink piglet. She tilts her head up with her ears pitched forward, studying him. The grass is green, a blue watering can sits near the fence, and neither one is rushing.

First meetings are best done slowly. A big dog and a small animal should meet outside, on neutral ground, with a calm person nearby. Let each one decide how close to come, and watch their body language. Soft eyes, relaxed ears, and a loose body are signs that all is well. A very tall dog like a Great Dane can accidentally frighten a small animal just by looming, so crouching or sitting down can help the dog seem less intimidating. If either animal seems anxious, take a break and try again later. A vet or a trainer can help with introductions between different species.

Let's call the piglet Pearl. She does not seem frightened in the slightest. The Dane's face is gentle, and his tail is moving in a slow, easy sway. This is how a lot of lasting friendships begin: a quiet sniff, a brief pause, and a feeling that it might just turn out all right.

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