Have you heard the interesting, true story about the cow that saved its owner during a flood in the Manawatū? If you’d like more stories along the same theme, below we have books on remarkable dogs, pigeons, and horses helping and saving their human friends during war and peace times – and vice versa.
Animal heroes / Long, David
“The first recipients of the Dickin Medal in December 1943 were three pigeons serving with the Royal Air Force, all of whom contributed to the recovery of aircrew from ditched aircraft. And Treo, a black Labrador, was awarded for his ‘heroic actions as an arms and explosives search dog in Afghanistan’. Olga the courageous police horse, who bolted from the path of a flying bomb in World War II only to return to duty. These true tales of heartrending devotion and duty are told from first-hand accounts.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Alfie & me : what owls know, what humans believe / Safina, Carl
“A moving account of raising, then freeing, an orphaned screech owl, whose lasting friendship with the author illuminates humanity’s relationship with the world. When ecologist Carl Safina and his wife, Patricia, took in a near-death baby owl. Alfie’s feathers were not growing correctly, requiring prolonged care. As Alfie grew and gained strength, she became a part of the family, joining a menagerie of dogs and chickens and also braided Carl and Patricia into her world.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
The diggers’ menagerie : mates, mascots and marvels : true stories of animals who went to war / Stone, Barry
“From the Boer War to the conflict in Vietnam, from the Somme to Afghanistan, from beasts of burden and bomb detectors, animals have played a vital role and provided companionship in Australian military history. Dogs, cats, pigeons, camels and horses are documented by Barry Stone, through letters, journals, photographs and first-hand accounts. The stories of the myriad creatures added a poignant layer to Australia’s military history.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Judy : a dog in a million / Lewis, Damien
“Judy, an English pointer, was cherished and adored by the British, Australian, American and other Allied servicemen. Half beaten to death by Japanese soldiers, almost drowned in the treacherous waters of the Yangtze River whilst serving as ship’s dog on British Gunboat the Gnat, bombed by Japanese warplanes in HMS Grasshopper, shipwrecked on a desert island, torpedoed by a Japanese submarine in the SS Van Waerwijck and hit by Japanese fire when taken as a prisoner of war in the jungle, she was a survivor.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
The chimps of Fauna Sanctuary : a true story of resilience and recovery / Westoll, Andrew
“A journalist and primatologist tells the remarkable story of thirteen chimpanzees and the people who care for them at Fauna Sanctuary as they recover from the trauma of years of use as laboratory subjects and learn how to trust humans and, more importantly, how to be chimps again. Brimming with empathy and touching stories, this book makes us question just what we owe to the animals.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
The dog who could fly : the incredible true story of a WWII airman and the four-legged hero who flew at his side / Lewis, Damien
“In the winter of 1939 in the cold snow of no-man’s-land, a German shepherd puppy was abandoned as his owners fled Nazi forces; but found by a Czech airman Robert Bozdech, and was named “Ant” after being shot down on a daring mission over enemy lines. Robert hid Ant inside his jacket as he escaped. They saved each other’s lives countless times as they flew together, and by the end of the war Robert and Ant had become British war heroes.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
Endal : how one extraordinary dog brought a family back from the brink / Parton, Allen
“Allen Parton suffered a serious head injury while serving in the Gulf War and returned home unable to walk, talk or remember his wife, Sandra, and two children. After five years of rehabilitation, Allen was still severely disabled. As a nurse, his wife Sandra would have to fight to keep her family together. Endal the Labrador puppy with problems of his own, adopted Allen and Sandra. He was to change give them back their family.” (Adapted from the Catalogue)
