Bonedigger the crippled lion forms inseparable bond with Milo the miniature sausage dog - to the point where Milo cleans even helps clean his teeth!
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By Sara Malm
PUBLISHED: 10:06 EST, 24 May 2013 | UPDATED: 10:06 EST, 24 May 2013
A lion and a miniature sausage dog have formed an unlikely friendship after the little dog took the king of the jungle under his wing as a cub.
Bonedigger, a five-year old male lion, and Milo, a seven-year old Dachshund, are so close that Milo helps the lion clean his teeth after dinner.
The 500lbs lion dwarfs little Milo, yet after the dog took the disabled lion into his protection as a cub, Bonedigger has rarely left his side.
Unlikely pals: Bonedigger the lion gives Milo the Dachshund a loving cuddle at a zoo in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
The two have been inseparable over the past five years at G.W. Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma.
Bonedigger was born with a metabolic bone disease that left him mildly crippled.
When Milo and two other five-year old wiener dogs, Bullet and Angel, sensed that the cub was disabled they sought to comfort and protect him.
Bonedigger and his pack of dogs cuddle, feast on raw meat and play in the grounds together.
Park manager John Reinke, 43,works at the zoo where he witnessed the bond develop between the unlikely duo.
Long friendship: Milo and Bonedigger have been inseparable ever since the Dachshund took the disabled lion, who suffers from a metabolic bone disease, into his protection as a cub
Big clean: Bonedigger and Milo are so close that the lion as the little sausage dog clean his teeth
Talk the talk: Milo has even learned how to growl like a lion, copying Bonedigger's way of communicating as he would with other lions in the wild
He said: ‘This friendship between an 11 pound wiener dog and a 500 pound lion is the only of it's kind in the world ever seen.'
Mr Reinke, who lost both his legs after a bungee jumping accident, added that the friendship between Bonedigger and his pack is unique.
‘He wouldn't be so friendly with other dogs - it's all down to them being pals since he was a cub. ‘
Milo often gives his best lion impression, copying Bonedigger's 'puffing' - a deafening lion growl that can be heard over a mile away.
Wild lions use it to communicate with other prides in their natural environment.
Dog's dinner: Bonedigger shares a meal with his dachshund friends at Exotic Animal Park in Wynnewood, Oklahoma
Just hanging: Despite the lion's title as king of the felines, Bonedigger is happy to relax on the roof of his hut with sausage dogs Milo and Bullet
Big cat: Animal handler John Rienke gives a tired looking Bonedigger a cuddle while Milo looks on
‘Milo does his best to copy Bonedigger when the lion tries puffing to communicate with other lions in the park ,’ added John.
G.W. Exotic Animal Park has recently been affected by the deadly tornado that swept through Oklahoma on May 20th.
The park was damaged and flooded, but is still managing to provide shelter for domestic and wild creatures that are homeless because of the storm.
Donations to the park can be made here.
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