Introducing Felix, a black Labrador with a cleft lip and palate, born under challenging circumstances. Felix came into my life when he was just 11 days old. Jamie, his rescuer and owner, shared with Bored Panda, “I was called in by the breeder to rescue one of their puppies, as it became clear that he was not thriving. This poor pup had a severe cleft palate and lip, preventing him from nursing properly. He had also developed aspiration pneumonia and had little chance of surviving.”
Over the next seven weeks, I dedicated myself to tube-feeding Felix and nursing him back to health. His pneumonia was treated, and today, he’s a thriving adult Black Lab at 14 months old.
In January, Felix underwent surgery that transformed his life for the better. According to Jamie, “Cleft lip and palate conditions have no known cause and can affect both humans and animals. Poor maternal nutrition or exposure to chemicals during pregnancy are suspected factors.”
Following his surgery, Felix had his first experience by the river, determined to get his face wet.
Despite his cleft lip and palate, Felix faces several other health challenges. His colon developed on the wrong side of his body, leading to digestive issues. Moreover, his teeth don’t align, and the right side of his face has an unusual appearance, resembling a melted candle. This makes him rely mostly on canned food, though he occasionally enjoys the challenge of eating hard food.
Felix’s clefts were successfully corrected in a surgery on January 31, as Jamie explained. “His doctor used his own tissue to reconstruct both the hard and soft palates. However, Felix developed a neurological tic post-surgery, likely due to skull shifting. We are currently exploring new medications to help him with this.”
A year ago, Felix’s situation seemed dire. He couldn’t eat or drink normally and required special care. Jamie recalls, “I had to use a custom tool to clean his cleft after every meal, and he needed frequent vet visits for cleaning. Living in Alaska, we even found a whole salmon skin and a dental flosser in there once!”
Felix is fortunate to be part of a loving family that includes four siblings, each with their own unique stories. Jamie shared, “I have another dog named Sammy with a milder cleft; he didn’t need surgery. We also have PB, a 12-year-old dachshund, Baby Girl, an Alaskan terrier from Bethel, and Meera, a 20-pound brindled whippet lookalike. They’re all rescues, and they get along wonderfully.”
As Felix grows up, he continues to thrive in his loving home. Jamie describes him as the happiest dog she’s ever owned. He’s full of energy, unaware of his health challenges. Swimming for the first time was a recent milestone, and Jamie hopes to train him to be a retriever in the coming summer.
Felix has come a long way after three surgeries in as many months, and he’s back to being a normal, playful dog. His favorite activity is playing with a ball; once you throw it, he’ll play with it all day long. He now eats and drinks normally, and his resilience is truly remarkable.
Felix did face some unconventional challenges; he managed to consume two plush animals and even a rock, requiring additional surgeries. Nonetheless, his family adores him wholeheartedly.
In the end, Felix is just like any other Labrador, and his owner couldn’t be happier with his recovery. “The best reward is seeing him recover from his operations like this,” Jamie exclaims. “What a guy. He’s a content child.” Despite the challenges he’s faced, Felix’s spirit shines bright, reminding us all to overcome obstacles and embrace our unique quirks.
