Piglet the ‘Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy’ Is Inspiring Others With His Growth Mindset Program

Piglet the ‘Deaf, Blind, Pink Puppy’ Is Inspiring Others With His Growth Mindset Program
Courtesy of Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy
Anna Mason
Updated:

Piglet is deaf and blind, but he’s the feistiest, most determined little dog you’ll ever meet.

After being rescued in 2017, he was adopted by a loving family and is now inspiring people all over the world with his own classroom-support materials, and his next children’s picture book is in the pipeline.

He has grown from being a frightened, traumatized tiny pup, to a bold, spirited Piglet who has overcome all odds. Already a Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok superstar, with collective views totaling over 35 million on YouTube, Piglet is also a role model with his own educational program: Piglet Mindset.
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)

Melissa Shapiro, a vet who agreed to foster Piglet with her family until the rescue group could find him a forever home, told The Epoch Times that Piglet is a dachshund-Chihuahua mix and was found living in a hoarding situation in Georgia along with his mother and three littermates.

“Both of his parents were dapple colored which is how he ended up being a double dapple (two dapple genes), which causes a white hair coat and congenital ear and eye defects,” Shapiro said.

Shapiro brought Piglet to her home in Connecticut in March 2017; he weighed just 1 1/2 pounds and screamed constantly from anxiety. It took months for him to calm down, with Melissa using tap signals to communicate.

“Piglet eventually settled into a comfortable, predictable daily routine of eating three full meals, snuggling in his favorite dad’s arms, playing with his dog pack siblings, taking walks, traveling to house calls with his veterinarian mom, and visiting the vet hospital to see his BFFs”, Shapiro said.

Melissa, who fostered several other dogs, could not face parting with Piglet. The family decided to adopt him in May 2017, and now he’s a beloved part of their clan.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)

Wherever Piglet went, people would find themselves smiling after meeting the resilient, adorable pink puppy.

“In the fall of 2017, a third-grade teacher in Massachusetts recognized Piglet’s potential as a growth mindset teaching model,” said Shapiro. “She coined the phrase Piglet Mindset.”

This led to the creation of an educational outreach program that is now being used by teachers across the United States and the world. The Piglet Mindset encourages: “Facing challenges with a positive attitude. Focusing on what you have and moving past what you don’t. Accepting individuals for who they are and including them despite their differences. Having empathy and understanding towards others and following up with positive actions. Being kind to all people and animals.”
In 2019, they founded the charitable organization Piglet International Inc., and added another aspect to the educational program called Piglet’s Inclusion Pack. In December 2021, Shapiro and Piglet were the recipients of Moffly Media’s 2021 Light a Fire Empathy Advocate Award.
Shapiro and Piglet with Moffly Media’s 2021 Light a Fire Empathy Advocate Award. (Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)
Shapiro and Piglet with Moffly Media’s 2021 Light a Fire Empathy Advocate Award. Courtesy of Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)

Shapiro says that one teacher who introduced Piglet Mindset to her second graders reported how she saw a “dramatic change in their attitude” while working with their classmates.

“Instead of complaining about their assigned math and reading partners, they happily embraced working with new friends that they ordinarily wouldn’t have chosen,” she added.

When online appearances take place, Melissa says Piglet knows what’s happening “even though he can’t see or hear any of this.” She says her smart pup understands that they are “doing something special.” "He gears up to do his Piglet Show, and he relaxes before and after,” she says.

As well as appearing virtually, Piglet has made many real-life visits to children, including those with special needs.

“The children are very excited and interested to meet Piglet and his sisters,“ she said. ”They have learned through their Piglet Mindset lessons that they need to be respectful and understanding of Piglet’s preferences and limitations.

“We get lots of cards and letters from students after they’ve met Piglet. Their parents write comments on our social media posts telling us how much their kids loved meeting Piglet, and how inspiring he is to them as they face their own challenges, big and small.”

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)
(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)

“We use the example set by our very sweet, inclusive group of rescued dogs, to illustrate and teach acceptance, inclusion, empathy, and kindness to children (and adults),” added Shapiro.

“Piglet is well aware of his surroundings, and who he is surrounded by. He identifies who he’s with, whether it’s another dog or a person, by the smell of their breath. It’s almost like he has a filing system in his brain because he remembers people, pets, and places he’s been.”

Shapiro has published one book, “PIGLET, The Unexpected Story of a Deaf Blind Pink Puppy and His Family,” and has another children’s picture book, “Piglet Comes Home,” to be published on June 7.

(Courtesy of <a href="https://www.instagram.com/pinkpigletpuppy/">Piglet, deaf blind pink puppy</a>)

Describing him as a “confident, smart, happy little dog with a hilarious sense of humor,” Shapiro says the family constantly gives Piglet new challenges and tricks to learn. Since they took him in five years ago, he’s transformed.

“Initially, he was frustrated, anxious, and upset as he must have felt alone and isolated, not knowing what to expect,” she said.

“Now he is affectionate, devoted to his people and his dog siblings, and he lives every moment with full attention and energy. He is resilient and resourceful and he uses his intelligence and humor throughout the day. This is why he is such an inspiration to others.”

The program is free to download from pigletmindset.org.

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Anna Mason
Anna Mason
Author
Anna Mason is a writer based in England. She majored in literature and specializes in human interest, travel, lifestyle and content marketing. Anna enjoys storytelling, adventures, the Balearic sunshine and the Yorkshire rain.
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