Book ~ "Unlikely Friendships: Dogs: 37 Stories of Canine Compassion and Courage" (2016) Jennifer S. Holland

From Goodreads ~ Enhanced with beautiful full-color photographs, these true stories of camaraderie, affection, and remarkable bravery are from the author of the New York Times bestsellers Unlikely Friendships, Unlikely Loves, and Unlikely Heroes, as well as other books and calendars, with nearly two million copies in print. 

 Meet Rex, a Belgian Malinois who learned to love and trust again through the improbable friendship of a goose. The pit bull named Dolly, whose antics with her best friend, Sheldon the tortoise, include games of tag. For the millions of dog lovers, this heartwarming and inspirational book celebrates 37 stories of unusual canine companionship.

I love reading books about animals and this is the third one I've read by this author.

There are 37 stories about unlikely friendships between dogs and other animals from around the world along with full-colour pictures ... a Chihuahua who uses wheels instead of back legs to get around and a chicken, a Bernese Mountain dog and a ferret, a junkyard dog and a goose, a pit bull and a tortoise, and more.  Some friendships last just a few days while others last for years.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.  This is an great book for animal lovers of all ages.

The pictures are amazing ... here are some:

Zoe and Lambie

Naki'o, the bionic dog

Ingo and Poldi

Opal, the seeing eye dog to Graham and his
former seeing eye dog, Edward

Piper and her goat, GP (Goat Puppy)

Penny and Roo

Book ~ "Unlikely Friendships: 47 Remarkable Stories from the Animal Kingdom" (2011) Jennifer S. Holland

From Goodreads ~ Real friendship knows no bounds, and it's not only humans who need it. Unlikely Friendships tells one story after another of animals who, with nothing else in common, bond in the most unexpected ways and thrive on the warmth, closeness, and trust that come with being true friends.

Imagine a predator cuddling its prey. Or a bird befriending a mammal. Or a fish poking its nose out of the water to nuzzle a dog. Or a massive gorilla - the one named Koko, famous for her ability to communicate in sign language - embracing a tiny kitten.

Science writer Jennifer S. Holland narrates each story and also offers insights into these relationships. Sometimes there are plausible scientific explanations: an orphan seeking comfort from an older animal; an adult yearning for a younger creature to nurture. Consider the lioness who befriended and protected a baby oryx - unexpected, but not inexplicable. Sometimes a friendship is about need, as in the case of the blind Lab and her "seeing-eye" cat. But sometimes it's just a lovely mystery. How else can one explain the story of Owen the hippo and Mzee the tortoise, two notoriously surly creatures who became bosom buddies?

Each story reveals the true power of friendship and, to some degree, the many forms of "love" that seem to exist in the animal kingdom. Yes, scientists might scoff at that notion, but readers may feel a little differently about the world after they finish this book.

I love reading books about animals and this is the second one I've read by this author!

There are 47 stories about unlikely friendships between animals, birds, reptiles and fish from around the world along with pictures ... a kitten and a fawn, a leopard and a cow, an owl and a spaniel, and a rat and a cat.  Some friendships last just a few hours while others last for years.  They are written at a high level, just a couple pages for each.

I enjoyed this book and would recommend it.  This is an great book for animal lovers of all ages.

Here are some of the pictures from the book ...

Book ~ "Unlikely Loves: 43 Heartwarming True Stories from the Animal Kingdom" (2013) Jennifer S. Holland

From Goodreads ~ Jennifer Holland, who writes about animal relationships with insight, compassion, and a fine narrative touch, explores animal attachments that, in human terms, can only be called love. Packed with beautiful, breathtaking full-color photographs, Unlikely Loves is a celebration of love between species. 

Here are stories of parental love, like the Dalmatian who mothers a newborn lamb a lamb that just happens to be white with black spots! Stories of playful love, including the fox and the hound who become inseparable. And stories of orphaned animals who have found family-like ties in unexpected combinations, like the elephant who's bonded with sea lions, goats and other animals in her walks around the Oregon Zoo.

Ms. Holland has interviewed scientists, zoologists and animal caretakers from around the world, tracking down firsthand sources and eyewitnesses. The stories are written with journalistic integrity and detail and always filled with the author's deep affection for her subjects.

I love reading books about animals!

This is an awesome book for animal lovers.  There are 43 love stories about animals from around the world that have bonded with others that are not their species ... a horse and a dog, a pig and a goat, a leopard and a dog, puppies and a piggy, a moose and a woman, and more.  Along with the stories are awesome pictures of the cross species lovers.  Way too cute!

I really enjoyed this book and would recommend it.  It was obvious that the author is an animal lover.  It's suitable for all ages.

Here are some of the pictures from the book ... how can you resist reading this book?!

Kate and Pippin

Selati and Tommy

Bak (who is blind) and Guzik

Sydney and her kittens

Apple Sauce and the Rotties

Zeke and Sarah with one of their zedonks