Rebecca Manzi Kynlee Rogers was born with a harelip, but her life changed when she adopted Tennee, a dog with the same condition as hers
@crurescue/Instagram
Kynlee Rogers, who was born with a cleft lip, is a 10-year-old girl who spent years questioning her mom, Kimberly, about why she was “different” from the other kids—a question that’s hard for any parent to explain. But since she met her dog, Tennee, who was also born with the same condition, she hasn’t asked anymore. When she looked at him, she discovered a unique connection that helped her understand that she wasn’t alone.
This heartwarming story highlights the important work of the Cleft Rescue Unit, a non-profit organization that was established in 2023 by Lindsay Weisman. The group seeks to pair dogs with craniofacial abnormalities with people who also have the same condition. This is what Weisman has to say:
“Both cleft groups—animal and human—are here together. We get puppies coming from all around the country, and not uncommon for them to be adopted by someone with the same condition. It’s a special moment for them because they see an animal that resembles them.”
Cleft palate in animals is more challenging to correct
Cleft lip and cleft palate are birth defects which occur in both humans and canines due to genetic and environmental factors. The condition in children is addressed by surgery and rehabilitation to improve the quality of life. But for puppies, the condition presents a more significant problem.
An infant puppy with a cleft lip will often have problems nursing, putting them at risk for not getting the nutrition they need to survive. Without immediate action—such as forced feeding—many do not make it past the first few weeks of life.
The Cleft Rescue Unit saves such high-risk puppies from irresponsible breeders or owners who lack the means to care for them. Once they are well enough to be fed on their own, the organization gets them adopted by families who can provide them with love and attention. Adopting these dogs to people who have cleft conditions is not just about providing them with a home—it’s also about giving comfort and a sense of belonging to those who have gone through the same challenges.
Kynlee has found in Tennee a friend who understands her without words. Theirs is a reminder that differences can unite people—or even a child and a pet—closer to each other, rather than set them further apart. Stories like theirs show that all it may take sometimes is a four-legged companion to feel less alone and truly heard.
