Ah, the classic story of a man and his yak.

Lynn Taylor of Athol, Idaho, and his pet yak, Makloud, are an inseparable duo. Now 8, Makloud is being treated for urinary tract problems at the Washington State University Veterinary Teaching Hospital in Pullman.

The 1,100-pound Makloud was unable to urinate and showed signs of distress. Dr. Ashley Brendenberg discovered a blockage in his lower urethra as well as a nickel-sized hole in his bladder that allowed urine to leak into his abdomen and may have caused some paralysis of the organ. Brendenburg isn't sure what caused the rupture, but hospital spokesman Charlie Powell said it may have been a kidney stone, scar tissue or "a narrowing of the canal with age."

"If Makloud’s bladder is paralyzed and his urethra remains blocked, the surgical opening made will function well to drain off urine for the remainder of his life," Powell said. "Essentially, he will just be urinating out a new opening a few inches from the opening he was born with."

Taylor, who keeps about 50 yaks on his property in Athol, has a special place in his heart for Makloud. Check out these photos courtesy of the veterinary hospital.