Sprinkle regularly grooms the kitten, licking its face and body. She protects the kitten from people reaching in to pick her up.

The unlikely pair also sleep together, curled up with the kitten’s head resting on Sprinkle’s body.

The kitten will cry unless Sprinkle is around to comfort her. Coale’s other Chihuahua, Shuggy, enjoys the company of Bindi as well, but isn’t nearly as interested in her welfare as Sprinkle. After a feeding, Sprinkle will patiently watch and then groom Bindi when she is out of Coale’s hands.