An adopted English Staffy who formed an unlikely friendship with a lonely magpie named Molly has given birth to a litter of puppies.
Peggy the rescue dog first spotted Molly close to death and abandoned by her parents in a Gold Coast park in September last year.
Owner Juliette Wells, from Coomera in Queensland, tried to find the bird's parents but ended up taking the friendly bird.
Her one-year-old dog looked after Molly as if she were her own puppy, and, with the help of of Ms Wells, 45, and her partner Reece, 52, she made a full recovery.
Now, Peggy has given birth to her own babies, who have also taken an instant liking the magpie.
Molly was rescued by Peggy and her owners after she was found abandoned during a walk near their home
Ms Wells said she was initially concerned what would happen to the pair when Peggy had her pups.
But her worries were put to rest when she saw their bond grow closer and the pups befriend Molly just as their mother did.
'Molly keeps an eye on the pups, it's just beautiful,' she told the ABC.
While Molly is free to fly away, she often stays with the family, spending her time with Peggy and her pups.
'She's a wild bird, she has her own needs. It would be awesome if she met someone and had babies, brought them back here and we'd have an even bigger family,' said Ms Wells.
The pair have since become inseparable and spend 24 hours a day with each other
With more than 44,000 Instagram followers, Peggy and Molly have fans from across the globe with what Ms Wells is calling their very own 'Winnie the Pooh and Piglet' story.
Ms Wells said she takes videos and photos while people are looking for positive content and she hopes that they can help the mental health of others to focus on the good in life.
Videos of the pair have gone viral with viewers looking for uplifting and heartwarming content during the Covid-19 lockdown.
As a result of being cared for by the loving pooch, artist Ms Wells says Molly has picked up some canine habits - and even started barking just like her best friend.
She said they first noticed Molly barking earlier in the year.
Molly the magpie has started barking like a dog almost a year on after being adopted by Staffy Peggy and her family from Coomera in Queensland
After a year of being cared for by the loving pooch, artist Juliette Wells says Molly has picked up some canine habits - and has now even started barking just like her best friend
'We thought it was Peggy barking, but when we looked over at her she was fast asleep. Then we saw and heard it coming from Molly.
'We started laughing so much because it sounded so much like Peggy. I couldn't believe it.
'She now does it a few times every day. Some days more than others depending on what is going on.
'If she hears other dogs in the neighbourhood or a noise in the bush, she will bark.
'I believe that Molly thinks that is what you do to communicate danger, because she has watched Peggy and is copying her behaviour.
Molly the magpie was close to death after being abandoned by her parents in September last year - but was lucky to be discovered by Staffordshire bull terrier Peggy
