Puppy Born With Green Fur Named Pistachio

AmyBrown

Nov 12, 2020 9:00 AM EST

Approximately, two weeks ago at a farm on the Mediterranean island of Sardinia, Italy, an Italian sheep farmer named Cristian Mallocci noticed that one of his 8 dogs, Spelacchia, gave birth to a litter of 5 puppies, one of which was born with green fur.

All the other pups in the litter had white fur, just like their mother. Not pistachio. However, while the phenomenon is rare, there is an explanation behind it. You know when you get a bruise and it turns green? Well, that substance is known as biliverdin. It is assumed that when puppies with pale fur have contact with that green pigment, biliverdin, within their mother's womb, then they'll take on a green tint.

Story via BBC News

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01
Meet Pistachio! A pup born in the litter of 5 who has green fur.

via @cristian_mallocci
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Biliverdin, the substance that gave Pistachio his unusual coat, is a substance contained in blue, that blends into the amniotic fliud in the placenta. Which can result in a green stained puppy!

via @cristian_mallocci
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via @cristian_mallocci
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via @cristian_mallocci
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The green pigment won't last forever, Pistachio's green pigment is said to be faded day by day. Mallocci has shared that he'll keep Pistachio on his farm, and train him to look after the sheep.

via @cristian_mallocci

While Pistachio's brothers and sisters are to be given new homes, Pistachio will stay on the farm and help his mother look after the sheep.
Mallocci also shared that the unusual color of Pistachio is an unexpected gift and the color green is a sign of hope and luck, so Pistachio came to this world with a purpose and to bring a smile to everyone's face.