'She won't take food from anyone else': In 1994, veterinarian Frank Mulreany saved a gray seal pup that washed ashore, then cared for the silly water doggo for 14 years until passing

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Blake Seidel • Managing Editor & Brand Manager
Jan 8, 2026 9:00 AM EST

Sally is probably the best name we could possibly think of for a seal.

Let's turn the clocks back 32 years to 1994. We were four years old, and across the Atlantic Ocean, a veterinarian by the name of Frank Mulreany stumbled upon a tiny gray seal pup that washed ashore in Donegal, Ireland. The pup was malnourished and injured, and so the veterinarian jumped into action and rescued the baby animal. He cared for her and helped her recover, naming her 'Sally', as the two built a unique and amazing bond together. 

Frank was already later in life, a bit lonely, and he said that Sally being there was "probably the best thing that could have happened to him". Sally was often seen lounging in "her" armchair most days, and Frank would take her out for swims quite often. Sally unfortunately never learned to hunt for herself, so Frank could not release her back into the wild. It's said that she wouldn't accept food from anyone other than him. We're not quite sure if she didn't really know how to hunt, or maybe she just didn't want to give up her favorite chair for a life of swimming.

Frank cared for Sally as a pet for 14 years, but she unfortunately passed away. He buried her in the garden behind his house, near the pond that he built for her to enjoy while at home. Their tale shows a rare bond between a wild animal and a caring human, and might just be one of the most heartwarming rescue stories we've everheard.

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    Cheezburger Image 10593577728
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    petshistorical In 1994, a tiny grey seal pup was discovered washed up on the shores of Dungloe, County Donegal, Ireland. Weak and malnourished, she was rescued by local veterinarian Frank Mulreany, who cared for her until she recovered. Named Sally, the seal became a local celebrity, known for her gentle and curious nature.
    via petshistorical
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. and she's chewed the upholstery off to make it more comfortable ITN
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    annienashh "In HER armchair"
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. hello Sally ITN
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  • They say that seals are like the dogs of the water, and after watching this video, we have to agree. They have the same big, round puppy dog eyes, long snouts and whiskers, and expressive eyebrows that often make them look surprised, guilty, or confused. And it's not just the physical appearance, seals are also playfully goofy, often moving underwater like a puppy who just discovered the joy of swimming.

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    She often followed Mulreany and was even seen lounging in an armchair like a house pet. Sally's story spread beyond Donegal, celebrated as a rare bond between a wild animal and a caring human. Her tale remains one of Ireland's most heartwarming animal rescues.
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. good girl good girl ITN
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    noahcorneliustv HE'S LIVING THE DREAM
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. that's my girl good girl ITN
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    spider.karrot.13 WHO
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. Sally ITN
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    alicegeeoh I adore this literally the best thing to watch repeatedly when you need perking up. Her grumpy noises when he tells her it's time for a swim !
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. the local vet he's nursed her back to health ITN
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    sabb9 Her rolling around while he says she seems pretty happy
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. and they have formed a special bond ITN
    via petshistorical

  • The dedication it must have taken to care for Sally isn't easily understood. He had to drive her to a body of water every day in order for her to swim and get out energy. He even went so far as to build a pond in his front yard so Sally could take a dip while at home. Not to mention the diet of a seal isn't the easiest (or cheapest) to accommodate. What a hero!

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    isrealwho His love for sally is so pure and admirable
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. he takes her swimming in a seawater pool ITN
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    lucdieden Sally knows that feeding on her own will revoke her couch priveleges
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. and until she does he cannot let her go back to the wild ITN
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. build a shelter for her and I think she'll be quite happy there ITN
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    An Irishman's rescued pet seal named Sally. with morning spent in an armchair and afternoons here at the swimming pool ITN
    via petshistorical
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    tristan_sundquist Frank passed away in July 2004 at the age of 65. He had cared for Sally for 14 years until she passed, and she is buried in the back garden of the house. He even created a pond in the front garden just for her. Later in life, Frank married a woman from Sligo, and together they renovated the house and his veterinary practice before he sadly passed from cancer in 2004. The house was later purchased in 2018 by a young family, who now live there with their four daughters.
    via tristan_sundquist
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    nicole.tiffany19 I looked it up, she passed away in 2008 she lived with him for 14 years⚫o
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    via petshistorical

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baby animals heartwarming seal animal rescue veterinarian doggo 90s water doggo animals
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