Domesticated prairie dog who loves to cuddle in bed and travel across the US with his owner

Doug resides his finest life travelling across the US (Credit score: SWNS)

He won't be essentially the most conventional pet, however Doug the domesticated prairie canine resides his finest life along with his devoted proprietor.

One-year-old Doug likes to cuddle in mattress with proprietor Sarah Deluca, who took within the rodent after discovering him in a pet retailer in Pensacola, Florida when he was only a two-month-old pup.

The 27-year-old, who works as a personal tutor in Gainsville, takes Doug on street journeys and aircraft journeys throughout the US because the pair go exploring collectively.

Doug has visited lakes, seashores and parks in Flordia, Georgia, South Carolina, Virginia, Tennessee, New York and Vermont.

Sarah, who describes Doug as a loving pet, says she merely couldn’t reside with out him.

She mentioned: ‘He's very cuddly and really affectionate. #’Everytime you go over to him, he’s at all times excited and completely satisfied for the eye.’

Nonetheless, taking in Doug wasn’t easy.

Maintaining the prairie canine each contained and secure wasn’t with out its challenges when she first rehomed him, as she underestimated his have to discover.

Now the duo are nearer than ever and spend their days cuddling in mattress, sharing snacks and exploring each nook of the US collectively.

Sarah has even began coaching Doug to make use of a rabbit harness, which he loves and wears to go on adventures.

She mentioned: ‘I take him with me wherever I'm going. He sleeps in my bag and may wander round on the leash if he desires too.

‘He doesn’t run away – he is aware of he’s acquired it good!

Sarah and Doug go in every single place collectively (Credit score: SWNS)

‘We went to the Smoky Mountains lately and climbed a mountain collectively. He was SO impressed by the mountains!’

She took him dwelling in early 2021 and Doug lives (virtually) peacefully with Sarah’s different pet, an eight-year-old cat known as Tulip, with whom he has a ‘brother/sister relationship’.

Sarah mentioned: ‘Tulip’s shy, so their relationship is usually Doug chasing her round the home.

‘She’s actually tolerant they usually by no means struggle – however she’ll give him a swat when she has to!’

Though Doug is technically a wild animal, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Fee (FWC) states that residents don’t want a allow to own a prairie canine as a pet.

Sarah mentioned that domesticated prairie canines have double the life expectancy of untamed ones, that are topic to looking, habitat destruction, predator animals and lots of extra risks.

She mentioned: ‘I would love folks to know that Doug’s life is best than it will have been within the wild. He enjoys life – he will get plenty of love and a focus.’