A teen, who used to hide her jaw and ears behind her long hair, has decide against surgery to change her appearance, all thanks to her doting dog who has helped her accept the way she looks.
Rachel Dicus, 19, from San Bernardino County, California, USA, was born with Treacher Collins Syndrome, and used to hide behind her locks and only took photos from certain angles.
The condition means that she doesn't have fully-formed ears and has a receded chin, and it has affected her self-confidence in the past.
Rachel struggled to make friends at school, and had self-esteem issues - that was until she adopted her pooch, Jackal, seven years ago.
Advert
The rescued husky-mix had been abused, meaning it was sometimes scared of other people, but she favoured Rachel, letting her stroke and take selfies with her.
Rachel felt empowered by the protective pup, and now she finally feels proud of her facial differences, choosing to reject cosmetic surgery to 'normalise' her appearance.
"Jackal preferred and picked me, she could have chosen anyone else in our family without Treacher Collins Syndrome," recalled the teen.
"She likes to cuddle me whether my hair was up or down, or even when I wasn't trying to look good she still preferred and wanted to be around me.
Advert
"She wants attention from me and to hold me, I'm sure she knows when I'm upset too, she will hop up to hang out or put her head on my chest."
Rachel even thinks they look pretty similar, explaining: "In some of my favourite photos, I think myself and Jackal look alike with our facial expressions and excitement levels.
"I would say she empowers me, she likes to hang around me and follow me, it helps having such a loyal friend."
Advert
While Rachel, who was diagnosed with the condition before she was born, said lots of people encouraged her to go ahead with the surgery, she knew that Jackal wouldn't care how she looked, and neither would her true friends.
She continued: "I had the opportunity to have cosmetic surgery over the years, but I decided against it, I didn't want to go through the process or change myself.
"A lot of people encouraged me to do it, so I could have my ears and jaw cosmetically altered, but I didn't feel it was right.
"I knew that Jackal wouldn't care what I look like and neither would my true friends."
She said: "I never thought I was ugly or unlovable before, I just didn't like my ears or face. But now I feel beautiful.
Advert
"Over time I realised that I shouldn't be ashamed or embarrassed over something I can't control."
The family adopted Jackal in 2011, and she took an instant liking to Rachel, who says the pair have a 'cool bond'.
"School wasn't that easy as I didn't have too many friends, I had a few but I wasn't very popular," the teen explained. "Coming home it was nice to have a dog who was happy to greet me."
Rachel added: "I know my friends and dog care for me, I feel really confident in how I was made and don't have to worry anymore.
Advert
"At the end of the day, the people who matter don't appreciate me for what I look like.
"I don't care for people who would like me for having a 'normal looking face and ears' - I don't need them in my life."
Featured Image Credit: CatersTopics: Dog, Life News, Real, Animals, Health