We adore seeing gentle giant dogs caring for tiny foster kittens. While it’s something we’ve seen many times, it must be unbelievable to witness in your own home! That’s what happened when photographer Lisa cautiously introduced two tiny foster kittens to her enormous Great Dane, Winnie, in Kansas City, Kansas.
Several years back, adopting a Great Dane puppy named Winnie “transformed” Lisa’s life. She started posting about their journey and unexpectedly gathered a large following online. Over the years, they shared some struggles with Winnie’s aggression, resource guarding, and bullying other dogs in the home.
But as you can see, things changed dramatically when Winnie met kittens for the first time! Her heart melted, and she was extremely patient and gentle.
Images via Facebook/Danes and Things
Two Dumped Kittens Found a Loving Foster Home
One day, the family decided to foster a pair of abandoned black kittens. Somebody had cruelly dumped them at a family business. Without food and water, they were “skin and bones,” but they thankfully made a quick recovery.
Images via Facebook/Danes And Things
At first, Lisa was cautious about even letting Winnie see the kittens. But to the family’s amazement, they soon discovered a side to her they had never seen before. It “blew them away!”
Video via TikTok/danesandthings
As it turned out, the massive 4-year-old Winnie decided to be the kittens’ foster mom! Seeing her with the tiny ones is so heartwarming. She’s extremely gentle, licking them and moving slowly with them as they cuddle so sweetly.
“One lick gives an entire bath 😂.”
Witnessing the tender scene was as shocking for the family as it was for many others watching online.
“I’m literally shook with Winnie’s obsession with these kittens,” shared Lisa.
Video by Danes And Things:
Winnie the Gentlest Foster Great Dane
As well as being adorable, the pictures that Lisa captured as truly beautiful, too!
As you can see, the black kittens could easily be mistaken for a spot on their dog mom’s dappled fur!
“Afternoon sunshine beaming through the window ☀️”
“Winnie says her baby looks just like her Do you see the resemblance?”
The Kittens Find Loving Homes
From the beginning, Lisa and family knew the foster kittens would find new homes. Yet online, there were a lot of folks pressuring them to keep the kittens. But fostering is all about saying goodbye one day. It’s always so bittersweet and emotionally challenging. Yet it’s also incredibly heroic and vitally important work. So please, don’t pressure foster providers who give so much to save lives.
By raising the kittens with Winnie the Great Dane, the kittens will be well-adjusted for life in their new homes. A gentle foster or nanny dog is often a great idea, and incredibly rewarding to behold. By raising kittens with a kind dog, they have better chances of finding homes with other pets.
Video by Danes And Things:
Nurturing Winnie’s Nurturing Side
As the time neared for sending the kittens to their new homes, something remarkable happened: Lisa decided that she might continue fostering little ones to save lives.
Wonderfully, they want to nurture Winnie’s nurturing side, which they never knew existed. Her maternal instincts kicked in so strong that it didn’t matter they weren’t actually puppies.
“The days are dwindling down til Miss Bonnie goes to her new home. I think this whole experience has made us realize fostering kittens may be in our near future again. Winnie has a gift.”
And the family was so overjoyed to see this nurturing side of Winnie emerge.
“I love this nurturing side of Winnie. We had no idea that it existed! And after this, I definitely am interested in fostering more.
Before they knew it, both kittens found homes. First, the little boy departed, and then, Bonnie found a home with two dogs at home!
“Soaking up the last few days together before Bonnie goes to her new home. Bonnie will have a brother named Clyde He’s a weenie dog. Her other brother is Winston a doodle. She has met both and they passed the “good boy” test. I feel confident they will be good to her,” Lisa wrote.
“I have thoroughly enjoyed every second fostering these babies. This nurturing side of Winnie is something that shocked me. She is not so much of a gentle giant with other dogs and so this was a beautiful side of her to see,” she said.
In a recent post, Bonnie even tried to nurse Winnie. But as a spayed Great Dane, Lisa wasn’t sure what she was getting out of the “nursing.” It sure is cute nonetheless!
Video by Danes And Things:
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