Thanks to their unusual kinship, a miniature horse and a goose are being offered as a pair to anyone interested in adopting them from a shelter in Pennsylvania.

Linda Reider, the executive director at Bucks County SPCA in Lahaska, Penn., said the two animals were rescued together from a farm with unsuitable living conditions. She said the two animals were already “inseparable” on their original farm, and they’ve stayed connected ever since.

“If you want to adopt Waffles, you have to adopt Hemingway. And if you want to adopt Hemingway, you have to adopt Waffles,” she told local television station WFMZ on Friday.

Waffles is a six-and-a-half-year-old miniature horse that loves eating grass, carrots, and being around a goose named Hemingway, Reider explained.

“We see interspecies friendships from time to time, but they’re rare. I’ve been in this work 35 years and I’ve not seen a horse-goose best-friend pair,” Reider told CTV News Channel.

When Waffles was sick, the SPCA executive director told WFMZ that Hemingway was there to comfort it.

“When we go to give medicines or injections, Hemingway would get in between and say, ‘I’m sorry, that’s my buddy the horse. He doesn’t want a shot today!!’” Reider said.

Geese are naturally protective of their family, Reider said, and she sees Hemingway’s willingness to throw down with anyone who bothers the mini horse as a clear sign that the goose has adopted Waffles as part of his family.

“When Waffles had his surgery at the vet clinic and was gone overnight, when he came back the next day, Hemingway sort of hugged Waffles and leaned on him and let him know everything was OK.”

Of the two, Waffles would need more specialized care -- he hasn’t had a lot of socialization, so an owner who has experience with horses would be required. For any horse-lovers concerned about having to take on the needs of a different type of animal as part of the bargain, Reider had reassuring words: “If you can have a mini horse, you can probably also have a goose.”

In a Facebook post, the Bucks County SPCA said Waffles is not yet cleared for adoption so they will not be accepting applications for the two animals until it is ready.

“These two have been through a lot together and we cannot wait for them to find a loving forever farm,” the post said. “We appreciate all the interest we have had in this lovely pair.”

She told CTV News Channel that she’s confident they’ll find a good owner, despite the challenge of being a package deal.

“They are a joy to have, and they will bring someone joy.”