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This elderly dog with separation anxiety has his own mannequin when his owner is out

Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)

A couple have taken drastic steps and created a lookalike after their dog suffered severe separation anxiety.

Marc and Kristen created Farc, or ‘fake Marc’, for 15-year-old Shorty, in a bid to teach the old dog new tricks.

Shorty, who has been at Marc’s side for the past 11 years, was adopted when his owner was working in a dog pound in Reno, Nevada.

Kristen told Bored Panda: “Now that he’s older it’s too difficult for him and we don’t want him getting sick. When Marc is gone Shorty is extremely anxious. He’ll bark and cry and nothing will calm him.

Farc the mannequin enjoys a cuddle with Shorty the 15-year-old pug. (Vintage Animal Rescue)
Farc the mannequin enjoys a cuddle with Shorty the 15-year-old pug. (Vintage Animal Rescue)
Marc and Shorty – described as ‘inseparable’. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Shorty – described as ‘inseparable’. (Vintage Pet Rescue)

“If I hold him he’s still upset.”

After months of struggling Kristen’s mother had a brainwave after seeing the levels of distress endured by the dog.

“She was over one day while Marc was away and saw how upset Shorty was. She went home and ordered the mannequin from a Halloween store that night.

“When she told me about it, I thought she was nuts.

Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)
Marc and Kristen run Vintage Pet Rescue, a retirement home for dogs and resorted to creating a lookalike to help Shorty overcome separation anxiety. (Vintage Pet Rescue)

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“I really didn’t think it would work and it would just be a funny photo opportunity.”

When the mannequin arrived, Kristen made sure that it would resemble Marc as much as possible. So not only did she dressed the dummy in her husband’s clothes, but she also put on the tattoo sleeves on its arms.

The couple run a ‘retirement home’ for elderly dogs on Rhode Island, where Farc has also reportedly brought comfort to the 32 other residents.

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