This is the remarkable story of one of the Second World War's most unusual animal heroes - a 14-stone St Bernard dog who became global mascot for the Royal Norwegian Forces and a symbol of freedom and inspiration for Allied troops throughout Europe. From a happy and carefree puppyhood spent as a family pet in the Norwegian fishing town of Honningsvag, the gentle giant Bamse followed his master at the outbreak of the war to become a registered crew member of the mine-sweeper Thorodd. Often donning his own steel helmet as he took his place in the Thorodd's bow gun turret, Bamse cut an impressive figure and made a huge contribution to the morale of the crew, and he gallantly saved the lives of two of them. After Norway fell to the Germans in 1940, the Thorodd operated from Dundee and Montrose, where Bamse became a well-known and much-loved figure, shepherding the Thorodd's crew-members back to the boat at pub closing time, travelling on the local buses, breaking up fights and even taking part in football matches. Mourned both by locals and Norwegians when he died in 1944, Bamse's memory has been kept alive both in Norway, where he is still regarded as a national hero, and in Montrose, where a larger-than-life statue of him was unveiled in 2006 by HRH Prince Andrew. Written from extensive source material and eyewitness accounts, Sea Dog Bamse is a fitting tribute to the extraordinary life of an extraordinary dog.

Swansea Jack, the Labrador who saved more than 25 people from drowning. Maya, the pit bull who defended her owner from a brutal attack. Max, the police German shepherd who chased and caught two convicted criminals. Connie, the Newfoundland who cares for her disabled owner. These are just a few of the incredible canine characters whose true stories are recounted in this inspiring collection of dog tales. Hounds from all walks of life are united within these pages in the search for the world's most devoted dogs. Heart-melting, dramatic, and often deeply moving, Dog Heroes champions the often underestimated role of man's best friend and gives a unique insight into the lives of both working dogs and personal companions. Each loyal dog has its own story to tell and each owner or handler has individual reasons for loving them, but these dogs have one thing in common: they are all truly dog heroes. Perfect for lovers of Marley & Me, From Baghdad with Love, and Walking Ollie.

As mascots, messengers, rat-catchers and even spies, animals have long marched into war alongside servicemen and women. Dogs, horses, cats (even birds, camels and elephants) have saved thousands of lives through instinct, intelligence, courage and devotion. Like Jet, a dog who searched through ruins during the Blitz bombings to find survivors, or Sergeant Stubby, a dog who caught a spy. Or the pigeons who braved hurricanes, hawks and even snipers to help during WWII ... Engaging, uplifting and deeply moving, Jet the Rescue Dog tells the stories of these brave, silent heroes with sensitivity and gentle humour for readers age 8+. With black and white illustrations throughout.

100 Dogs Who Made a Difference If you don’t believe that one dog has the power to alter civilization, then you’ve obviously never heard of Peritas (p. 166), the dog who saved Alexander the Great from being trampled by an elephant. Or Biche (p. 57), the Italian Greyhound who started a war between France and Russia. Or Urian (p. 74), the dog who bit Pope Clement VII and finalized England’s break with the Catholic church. Or Peps and Fips (p. 96), the dogs who helped Richard Wagner compose his operas. These are just five of the 100 Dogs Who Changed Civilization, and this book honors their extraordinary contributions to science, history, art, government, religion, and more. You’ll meet a dog who ran for president of France (p. 79) and a dog who saved a movie studio (p. 115). You’ll meet dogs who have inspired great works of literature (p. 92) and who were awarded medals for their wartime service (p. 158). You’ll even meet a dog who became a real-estate mogul (p. 141). These beautifully illustrated true stories are a tribute to the intelligence, bravery, and loving nature of dogs all over the world.

These uplifting stories share true accounts of some extra special cats and reminds us that even the smallest creatures can have the biggest impact on our lives. Whether you're a cat owner or simply appreciate the magic of these adorable creatures, this book is sure to warm your heart and remind you of the power of their love and companionship.

This is the inspiring and charming true story of one of the Second World War's most unusual combatants - a 500-pound cigarettesmoking, beer-drinking brown bear. Originally adopted as a mascot by the Polish Army in Iran, Wojtek soon took on a more practical role, carrying heavy mortar rounds for the troops and going on to play his part as a fully enlisted 'soldier' with his own rank and number during the Italian campaign. After the war, Wojtek, along with some of his Polish compatriots from II Corps, came to Berwickshire, where he became a significant member of the local community before subsequently moving to Edinburgh Zoo. Wojtek's retirement was far from quiet: a potent symbol of freedom and solidarity for Poles around the world, he attracted a huge amount of media interest that shows no sign of abating almost 50 years after his death.

Moving accounts of morale-boosting, life-saving dogs in combat—from ancient armored war dogs to the highly-trained canines of today’s modern military. On Stone Age battlefields through both world wars to present-day Afghanistan, dogs have been the loyal companions and trusted compatriots of soldiers worldwide. Now the exciting, heartwarming and heroic stories of history’s most famous combat dogs are compiled in this incredible collection. CAIRO, SEAL Team Six’s Belgian Malinois, who was choppered in with his top-secret unit on their heroic mission to take out Osama bin Laden. RAGS, a Highland terrier who dodged German shell-fire, shrapnel and poison gas to deliver crucial messages to the Western Front. GANDER, the Canadian Royal Rifles’ Newfoundland, who sacrificed his life by scooping up a grenade and carrying it in his mouth away from his unit. EBONY, the fearless German shepherd who alerted soldiers to an imminent ambush, saving 25 men from sudden death in Vietnam’s unyielding jungle. COOPER, the bomb-sniffing Labrador who relentlessly scoured Iraq for explosives until the fateful day when an IED killed him and his handler.

Around the world there are thousands of pet statues and memorials with fascinating stories behind them. Some reveal insights into our social history, such as the little brown dog in Battersea that was a focus of suffragette riots. Others have wonderfully quirky origins, like the twenty-three cats of York: sculptures added to buildings designed by a cat-loving architect. Many more reveal tales of courage, loyalty, myth, and legend. From Egyptian cat goddesses and the heroic dogs of war, to search-and-rescue canines on 9/11 and Tombili the Turkish moggy who became an Internet sensation, this book brings together a selection of the most surprising, amusing and illuminating stories, complete with dozens of full-colour photographs. Anyone with an appreciation of pets, the varied roles they play in our lives, and the ways in which our relationships with them have evolved over time, will find much of interest in this book.

During the First World War, President Woodrow Wilson bought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds to save money on groundskeeping. One of the sheep, called Old Ike, even became a public phenomenon for his ornery disposition and his penchant for chewing tobacco. Included here are hundreds of well-researched accounts of the fascinating animals that have played vital roles throughout history. Featured animals include Able, who flew on a space mission; Bayou, Salvador Dali's ocelot companion; and G.I. Joe, a pigeon who saved more than 100 people during World War II. These and many other stories detail the unexpected contributions of our animal companions in settings of war, space travel, stage and screen. The book is organized alphabetically by the given name of each animal, and entries feature compelling factual descriptions in a storytelling format.