Carter Blanchard and Rowdy both suffer from Vitiligo. 

Boy's New Best Friend is a Dog With the Same Rare Skin Condition as Him

It was a happy day when 8-year-old Carter Blanchard met a 14-year-old labrador named Rowdy. Why were they so happy?

Because Carter and Rowdy both suffer from vitiligo — an incurable skin condition that causes the loss of skin color in blotches.

It was a happy day when 8-year-old Carter Blanchard met a 14-year-old labrador named Rowdy.

Blanchard, who lives in Arkansas, was diagnosed with the disease in December 2014, when he was in kindergarten.

"He was at a big school with a lot of kids and his face was transforming very quickly," his mother, Stephanie Adcock said. "The first thing he'd tell me when he got in the car is that he hated his face and hated the way he looked."

Owner, Niki Umbenhower and her 14 year-old labrador, Rowdy.

Around the same time, in Canby, Oregon, Rowdy's owner, Niki Umbenhower, started to notice that there were white spots popping up over his black fur. At first, they thought he was just getting old, but then they found out it was vitiligo.

Both suffered from this disease. Carter was diagnosed when he was in kindergarten,  where his face was transforming very quickly. While from Oregon,  Rowdy's owner started to notice white spots over his black fur. Niki Umbenhower, Rowdy' owner, said they thought he was just getting old, but then they found out it was a vitiligo.

Stephanie (Carter’s mom), Carter, Niki, Rowdy, Julie (Ava’s mom) & Ava

One day, Adcock was scrolling through Facebook when she came upon Rowdy's Facebook page. She began emailing back and forth with Umbenhower, and Rowdy began to teach Carter to love his skin.

"Vitiligo is a very rare condition and he was very upset that he had it but now he is proud that he was chosen to have vitiligo and this is the way he is and he wouldn't have it any other way," Adcock said. "He thinks that everyone else's skin is boring."

After their heartwarming story an anonymous donor donated $5,000 to help fly Blanchard and his mom fly out to meet Rowdy. It was an emotional and incredible moment for everyone involved.

Ava, Rowdy and Carter, sweet trio

"When we walked in I didn't feel like we were walking in for the very first time, they were family already," Adcock said. "Carter hugged him and petted him for two hours straight and they've been together ever since."

This was a heartwarming and inspiring story. Please share this with your friends and family.

“I want to say when I was little, like Maleficent, I was told I was different. And I felt out of place and too loud, too full of fire, never good at sitting still, never good at fitting in.  And then one day I realized something – something I hope you all realize. Different is good. When someone tells you that you are different, smile and hold your head up and be proud.”

- Angelina Jolie