A prairie dog's best friend!

 Alsatian forms an unlikely bond with his owners' pet rodent as they spend hours playing together 

• Prince the rodent has struck up an unbreakable bond with six-year-old Banksy 
• The 'very loving' friends spend hours together every day in Fort Worth, Texas
• Heartwarming shots show them playing during bath time and in the garden
• The lively rodent loves snuggling up between Banksy's paws to fall asleep

A tiny prairie dog has melted hearts around the world thanks to his unconventional friendship with a giant Alsatian. 

Prince the rodent has struck up an unlikely bond with six-year-old Banksy and spends hours playing with him every day in Fort Worth, Texas.

Prince's owner Taylor Williams admitted the 'spunky' rodent likes to test Banksy's patience by nipping at his toes - but always resolves their clashes by curling up between the canine's paws and falling asleep.

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Prince the rodent has struck up an unbreakable bond with six-year-old Banksy the Alsatian and the firm friends spends hours playing every day in Fort Worth, Texas

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Heartwarming photos show the prairie dog snuggling between Banksy's paws to fall asleep

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They are so inseparable they play in the garden together - with Prince seemingly unfazed by Banksy's imposing size

Williams, a nurse, lives with her husband Brad, Banksy and 11-year-old Coco the Yorkshire Terrier.

While Coco stays out of Prince and Banksy's way - she likes her quiet time - the others have formed an unbreakable bond and spend hours playing with each other every day.

Taylor said: 'We got Prince on April 21, 2016 and named him Prince after the singer because he passed away on that same day. There is definitely a learning curve with raising a prairie dog.

'We just assumed it was like having a regular dog - we were wrong. He has so much personality and is so smart. He actually has to go to time out when he is in trouble! We read many, many books and referred to Gena Seaberg, a specialist in prairie dogs.

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Williams, a nurse, revealed she named Prince after the musical legend because she bought him on the day the singer died 

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'Prince mainly annoys him by trying to snuggle near his genitals or nibbling on his toe nails,' she admitted

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The feisty rodent has been known to test the sizable Alsatian's patience by playfully nipping at his nose

 

'Banksy and Prince took a liking to each other pretty much right away. Banksy just had to figure out that he was actually much bigger than Prince!

'Banksy is very loving and is always licking Prince or wanting to play. Prince is spunky but also very loving towards Banksy.'

Even though Banksy is a loving older brother, Prince likes to test his patience with his boundless energy and teasing nips on Banksy's toes.

The 29-year-old said: 'Prince likes to pounce on Banksy's face. They could sit there and do that for hours. And then, Prince will decide it's nap time and snuggle in between his legs. When my husband and I are home from work they get to spend a lot of time together.

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The fuzzy prairie dog likes to spend his spare time begging for a sweet potato treat, running on his wheel or tearing up K-cup boxes to make his bed cosier

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Adorable shots show Prince appearing to sip beer out of a pint glass in a pub garden and sitting on his owner's lap in the car

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Prince has become a social media sensation thanks to sweet shots of him curling up in his owner's neck  

'Prince mainly annoys him by trying to snuggle near his genitals or nibbling on his toe nails. Banksy will get up right away and walk away if Prince gets too much up in his business when he is not in the mood for it.

'Prince doesn't really seem to ever get too annoyed with Banksy.'

'He will literally pounce at you and try to nip bite. He occasionally tries to rip up carpet. But otherwise he is pretty good.'

The fuzzy prairie dog likes to spend his spare time begging for a sweet potato treat, running on his wheel or tearing up K-cup boxes to make his bed cosier. 

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Williams added that the pampered rodent likes to sleep in the same bed with her and her husband

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But Prince prefers the downy bed in his own cage the most (pictured)

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The unlikely bond between the rodent and the dog has defied expectation - with both animals being 'very loving' to each other

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Sometimes Prince burrows so deep under Banksy's paws or his hind legs that he is barely visible under the mound of fur 

Williams added that the pampered rodent likes to sleep in the same bed with her and her husband - but if he gets sick of it he goes downstairs to the bed in his own cage.

'Prince is a snuggler and we love this about him. It's the best to just be watching TV and snuggling him or watching him snuggle Banksy. He hates the word "no" and will sass back at you when you tell him no,' she said.

'They both mean the world to me. I love Prince more than I ever thought I could love a little animal. He actually has flown with me to two different states and flew on the airplane like a champ!' 

Despite their names, prairie dogs have no relation to dogs and are burrowing rodents native to the grasslands of North America. In recent years, they have become a popular pet choice because of their excitable nature and fluffy exterior. 

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The thrillseeking rodent has melted hearts with his fiesty poses - including on a pink motorbike

 

  

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(The Mail, UK)