Everybody love animals. They are some of our best and most loyal companions throughout our lives. If you love animals like we do, what better than some amazing animal stories. So, here are some of the most Amazing Animal Stories we could find.
1. Bobbie the Wonder Dog
Bobbie, a Scotch Collie/English Shepard mix was given the name “The Wonder Dog” after walking from Indiana to Oregon. That’s 2,550 miles (4,100km), across the United States. He had originally made the journey with his family but became lost in Indiana. After a long search, the family gave up and returned to their home in Silverton Oregon. Six months later Bobbie, now weak, skinny and with paws worn to the bone, appeared on their doorstep.
News of Bobbie’s epic journey across mountains, deserts, and plains spread across the country. All types of media, including film, newspaper articles, and books featured him. Sadly, in 1927, at the age of six, Bobbie died. He is now buried in the Oregon Humane Society’s pet cemetery in Portland.
2. Shrek
Shrek, a male Merino sheep was born near Tarras, New Zealand. One day Shrek decided to wander off his farm to live in the highlands of the area. Finally, after living off the land for six years, a high country ranch team found Shrek. For six whole years, Shrek had avoided being sheared. While most male Merinos are sheared on an annual basis.
Shrek was 75% covered in wool, with the total weight of his coat being a staggering 60lb (27kg). It was due to this large size and his playful personality he was named after the animated ogre. Shrek quickly became a national icon. His shearing was broadcasted on live TV. On top of that, his enormous fleece was auctioned off for charity and he ended up raising over $150,000. Unfortunately, Shrek was euthanised on June 6, 2011, at the age of 17.
3. Unsinkable Sam
Sam the cat survived the sinking of one of the largest battleships in the German Navy, The Bismark. After surviving the sinking, in which 2200 sailors died, Sam was adopted by the HMS Cossack, which was promptly sunk by a German U-boat. Following this second sinking, in which 153 sailors died, Sam moved to the HMS Ark Royal, which was also torpedoed sinking the ship and the crew. However, Sam still survived and went on to two other ships the HMS Lightning and HMS Legion which both were sunk.
4. Heidi
Heidi, quite simply, is a cross-eyed Opossum. The German media has given the animal, along with a range of other “special” animals near celebrity status. Heidi has more than 110,000 Facebook followers.
5. Lonesome George
Lonesome George was the last of his specific sub-species of the Giant Galapagos Tortoise. These animals are well known for both their large size and long life span. Unfortunately, Lonesome George died young for his species, around 100, while the average age is approximately 200 years old.
6. Cher Ami
Cher Ami is one of the most famous pigeons in the world. His name meaning “Dear Friend” was earned when he delivered a vital message that saved U.S. Army Captain Charles Whittlesey and his battalion in 1913. He flew the 25 miles back to headquarters despite being shot in the chest and losing his leg. Cher Ami became the hero of the 77th division. Going on to became the mascot of the U.S. Department of Service until he died on June 13, 1919, from the wounds he received in battle.
7. Ham the Chimp
Ham the Chimp, named after the Holloman Aerospace Medical Centre was the first primate in space. He was chosen to be launched into orbit in the Mercury capsule. On January 31, 1961, he managed to travel 155 miles (250km) in 16 minutes. The mission was aborted due to a problem with the oxygen supply, and Ham was recovered about three hours after he landed. Fortunately, he went on to live in the National Zoo in Washington DC for the next 17 years.
8. Laika
Laika, the Dog was the first canine in space. Launched in the ill-fated Sputnik 2, Laika perished just six hours into the flight. She reportedly died of excess heat due to the lack of a heat shield in the primitive spacecraft. Laika has been memorialized in Star City, Russia where a plaque and statue are dedicated to her.
9. Marjan
Marjan the one-eyed lion was brutally injured by a person who threw hand grenades into his cage in Kabul. The attack left Marjan permanently disabled, deaf and blind. Marjan died in January 2002 and was given a public ceremony. He is buried on zoo grounds with his grave reading: “Here lies Marjan, who was about 23. He was the most famous lion in the world.”
10. Punxsutawney Phil
Punxsutawney Phil is one of the world’s most famous rodents.
The most famous groundhog in the world, Punxsutawney Phil (also known by his full name, “Punxsutawney Phil, Seer of Seers, Sage of Sages, Prognosticator of Prognosticators and Weather Prophet Extraordinary”) has been predicting the weather in Gobbler’s Knob since February 2, 1886. Incredibly, some people believe that he’s still the same groundhog today. As these animals have an average lifespan of only ten years, he would have to live on regular doses of elixir along with the love of his good wife, Phyllis, to keep him going all this time. A mysterious group called the Inner Circle looks after him, and wear top hats and tuxedos to the prediction ceremony. The prognosticating groundhog is thought to derive from a German tradition that if the sun comes out on Candlemas and the hedgehog sees his shadow, six more weeks of winter will follow.
We hope you like these Amazing Animal Stories as much as we did!
Bobbie is cute
Sam is cool