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Molly the magpie reunited with Peggy the staffordshire terrier best friend
The magpie and best dog mate are back together at home
The Good News
After more than six weeks apart, the Insta-famous magpie and its best dog mate are back together at home on the Gold Coast, Australia — singing and sunning themselves like old times.
Rescue magpie Molly and her mate Peggy the Staffy at home on the Gold Coast, Australia. Image by Juliette Wells.
The Story
Everything is as it should be in Peggy and Molly's world again.
Best friends forever: Molly and Peggy back together again. Image by Juliette Wells.
In a heartwarming video posted to their thousands-strong social media following, Molly the magpie can be seen arriving home, where it is greeted by a waggy-tailed Peggy the Staffordshire terrier.
The short montage of the bird's first "24 hours home" features Molly sitting on a branch showing off its signature bark, charging around the house with its wings out, and having a bath.
The story of Peggy and Molly's friendship amassed a large following before Molly was seized by authorities. Image by Juliette Wells.
Juliette Wells and Reece Mortensen voluntarily surrendered Molly to the Queensland Department of Environment, Science, and Innovation (DESI) earlier this year after authorities found the couple did not have the required permit to care for native wildlife.
Ms Wells has said the pair rescued the bird as a fledgling in 2020 and raised it alongside Peggy and their other pet dog, Ruby.
The unlikely friendship that blossomed between Peggy and Molly was dubbed a "real life Winnie-the-Pooh and Piglet" story, and has seen the animals' interactions garner hordes of followers online and later secure a book deal.
After a sustained campaign to reunite the dog and its avian friend, which saw Premier Steven Miles and pro-surfer Kelly Slater throw their support behind the cause, authorities worked with the couple to ensure they could obtain the required permits to care for Molly.
Peggy began producing milk for Molly when she was first rescued. Image by Juliette Wells.
'Singing is music to our ears'
In a statement, Molly's carers said "We are just so happy to be together again".
"Molly's first 24 hours home has been wonderful for all of us," Ms Wells and Mr Mortensen said.
"The three best friends have been enjoying the sun together or just enjoying each others' company like they have always done.
"They are resettling into their normal home life and Molly has had a few baths and played with his faithful sloth toys with Peggy and Ruby never too far away.
"We have had to duck quite a few times as wings flap by our heads and the constant singing is music to our ears."
Conditions for returning Molly
Queensland authorities returned Molly on the condition that the Gold Coast couple no longer profit from it.
The department previously said in a statement that independent expert veterinary advice had shown that Molly was highly habituated and may have developmental issues, meaning it can never be rehabilitated or returned to the wild.
Ms. Wells and Mr. Mortensen undertook wildlife carer training and must continue engaging with authorities to ensure the bird is receiving adequate care.
The couple is also encouraged to publicly educate others on how to appropriately care for native wildlife.
Ms Wells says Molly is a "free bird" but she keeps coming inside the house to be with Peggy. Image by Juliette Wells.
Source
Story provided by ABC Gold Coast. Original written by Alexandria Utting.
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