The following pictures of Rowdy and Carter just go to show how a dog, especially if he has something in common with a boy, can bring about a smile and laugh. But, of course, even without the skin discoloration — we all knew that anyway!
You may be familiar with Rowdy, a very unique-looking dog we told you about a while back who made waves because of the way vitiligo has made his fur look. When Carter was in kindergarten he developed the same condition and began to hate his face – until he met Rowdy. Now he is bursting with confidence thanks to the bond they share.
via Life With Dogs/The Umbenhower Family
Stephanie began emailing Rowdy’s mom, Niki, and hoped to one day have the two meet. A story about them was recently featured on an Oregon news station and an anonymous benefactor donated $5,000 so Stephanie and Carter could fly west to meet the Umbenhowers. Carter and Rowdy finally got to meet in person last weekend.
via Life With Dogs/ Niki Umbenhower
“Carter will be on the floor doing Legos and Rowdy will come and lay down next to him. Carter hugged him and petted him for two hours straight and they’ve been together ever since.”Now funds are being raised to help a young girl named Ava, who also has vitiligo, fly out to Oregon with her mom to meet Rowdy.
Rowdy is truly the confidence booster! It really is marvelous to see how he’s perked this young boy up and, in turn, Carter will love Rowdy forever!
One day, we know, these two will meet up again and we have a sneaking suspicion that they will remember each other easily. Not because of the way they look but because BFFs can always spot the other in a crowd! For more on this touching story, visit Life With Dogs.
