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Best Buddies
Natasha and Max
Submitted by Candysse Miller of Alta Loma, CA
A bearded collie named Max and Natasha, a once-feral feline, have struck up a relationship that seems to rely as much on Max's perpetually moving tail—a great cat toy—as it does on the patience of his old soul. According to Candysse, the two unlikely companions are often caught snuggled up and grooming each other.
Luna and Rain
Submitted by Bradley Auclair, age 10, of Nelson, NH
Bradley Auclair is proud to live with two Siamese stunners. “My pets’ types are the best!” boasts Bradley. “I think their names are cute.” (So do we!) Like true pals, Luna and Rain topple over each other, get into a pile and fall asleep. “They love each other a lot. My pets are like butter and toast.”
Geronimo and Bhupen
Submitted by Bhuvana Lagasse of Goodview, VA
When Bhupen started pilfering kitty’s food, he and Geronimo weren’t friends yet. In fact, Geronimo was downright frightened of the little guy. “He just watched in bewilderment as the bite-sized morsel began to shove every piece of cat food into his cheek pouches,” says Bhuvana. Now these two do everything together. “It just goes to show, first impressions don't have to be permanent.”
Jasper and Dudley
submitted by Amy Eisenmann of Roxbury, MA
When Amy brought home Dudley, a thin and scared kitten, she hoped he would get along with Jasper, who was in dire need of a friend. “The moment I opened the carrier, Dudley jumped out, and the two became brothers instantly,” Amy gushes. “They slept together that night and since then, have not spent a moment apart.”
Uncle Rudy and Godiva
Submitted by Jennifer Berthelot of Baton Rouge, LA
From chasing tennis balls to sharing a bone on the couch, Uncle Rudy and Godiva are forever side by side. “Godiva loves Rudy so much she jumps up at the sound of his name and considers any big black dog a friend,” says Jennifer. “Uncle Rudy is just like a real uncle to Godiva—guiding, teaching and protecting her.”
Maximus and Poke
Submission by Dana Kruser of Andover, NY
Whoever said cats and dogs can’t be friends never met Maximus and Poke, who share everything from toys and pillows to playtime and treats. “They are inseparable,” explains Dana. “Their day always begins with an enthusiastic game of hide-and-seek and ends with a cuddle.”
Chauncey and Monte
Submitted by Jennifer Van Eps of Stamford, CT
It might have been love at first sight, or just a kismet connection, but Chauncey and Monte took to each other instantly. “I knew as soon as we brought Monte home and introduced him to Chauncey that he would never be ‘our’ cat, but rather Chauncey’s cat,” laughs Jennifer. “I found Chauncey a best friend and gave Monte a better life, which is really what it's all about.”
Walker and Coco
Submitted by Jessica Corsaletti of Berlin, CT
“Coco the rabbit was going to be auctioned off to a restaurant for food,” remembers Jessica. “Luckily she was saved and adopted by Walker, my 12-year-old West Highland white terrier, and me. Terriers often like to chase small animals—but Coco thinks she’s a dog, and she and Walker bonded right away. These guys are great buddies, and I am happy to have rescued them!”
Bonnie and Clyde
Submitted by Joanne Knoll of Harvard, MA
Bonnie and Clyde are more than best buddies—this past Valentine’s Day, they were joined in holy mutt-rimony! The two Great Danes, who have been inseparable for three years, got hitched at the Pooch Barkery in Ayer, MA, during a fundraiser for local animal shelters. Joanne reports that the nuptials went off without a hitch, although “Clyde had a case of cold paws, especially when he realized he would be wearing a black top hat for the ceremony!”
Yvette and Zack
Submitted by Joyce Hages of San Mateo, CA
Joyce, a part-time receptionist at a veterinary hospital, had never owned a cat before, but fate led her to adopt two homeless kittens who arrived within weeks of each other. “Yvette and Zack loved each other from the start,” says Joyce. “They are now nine months old and very loving to each other and everyone in the house—they even get along with my two Pomeranians!”
Bogey and Cassie
Submitted by Karen Kapuscinski of Highland, MI
To mend Bogey’s broken heart after losing his senior dog pal to cancer, the Kapuscinskis adopted Cassie, a tiny, energetic Rottweiler mix whom Karen describes as a “bundle of joy.” “Bogey and Cassie turned out to be the best of friends,” Karen tells us. “When one of them is outside, the other one waits, crying, at the door or window. They play so hard throughout the day that they have to nap often. If dogs can have soul mates, I know these two are it for each other.”
Big Red and Delilah
Submitted by Sarah Phillipson of Baltimore, MD
Formerly abused, Big Red turned into a loving, happy cat once under Sarah’s care. But she knew he was lonely during the day, and soon brought home Delilah. “I was anxious to see how they would react to one another,” says Sarah, “but there wasn’t a hiss or a claw out. They went straight up to each other and touched noses, and that’s when I knew they’d be inseparable for life.”
Daisy and Chloe
Submitted by Noelle Villanueva of New York, NY
Four-pound Daisy gallantly took on the job of older big sis to Chloe three years ago. “They play together, sleep together and eat out of the same bowls,” says Noelle. And whenever one of them leaves the house without the other, there is always a wonderful interaction when they’re reunited. “They are as happy to see each other as they were on the first day they met!”
Toadie and Tabbie
Submitted by Rebecca Culley of Ozark, AL
When Rebecca went to her local shelter to find Toadie a “sister,” she was shown a scared, tiny Chihuahua who had been abused. “All I could see were those huge brown eyes!” recalls Rebecca. When Toadie met Tabbie in the get-acquainted room, it was love at first sight. “Tabbie just came to life, and I took her home right then. Today, whenever Toadie and Tabbie are together, they HAVE to be touching!”
Sweet Pea and Autumn
Submitted by Carolyn Smith of Cotati, CA
When Sweet Pea the sheep was abandoned by her mother, Carolyn bottle-fed her—with a little help from a Labrador retriever. “Autumn loves to nurture babies!” Carolyn says. “Dog and sheep bonded in the house—Sweet Pea in diapers, of course—and now that she’s out in the field, she gets all excited and wants to run in circles whenever she sees Autumn!”
Corby and Bear
Submitted by Sarah Karam of Corvallis, MT
“Surrounded by cats his whole life, Corby has always had an interest and tried to play with them,” explains Sarah. But the golden retriever fell particularly hard for one special kitty named Bear, and thankfully the feeling is mutual. “Bear purrs loudly when Corby nuzzles his neck, and together they romp around the yard, snuggle on the couch, fetch the paper and share head rubs.”
Kilo and Lefty
Submitted by Janice Queijo of Hubbardston, MA
Kilo, a nine-year-old pit bull, is a favorite of all the cats in his house, but he shares a special bond with Lefty. “I call these two guys my red boys,” says Janice. “They love to lie around together, and Lefty loves to rub up against Kilo's face.”
Peter and Sammy
Submitted by Jenn DeTullio of Freehold, NJ
A bird and a guinea pig might make an unlikely pair, but according to Jenn, hers share a bond over food and housing. “Sammy likes to sit on anyone's head,” she says. “He and Peter live in my daughter's room, and I always catch Sammy inside Peter’s cage, hanging out with him and eating his food and hay. Peter never seems to mind.”
Rocky and Vader
Submitted by Jenn DeTullio of Freehold, NJ
Rocky and his little brother Vader live with two other dogs, a guinea pig, a hamster and a bird, but reserve most of their sibling love for each other. “We adopted both of these guys from the Monmouth County SPCA, and they are inseparable,” says Jenn. “They have brought a lot of joy to our family!”
Pickle and the Pigeons
Submitted by Caroline Lee of New York, NY
The Lees’ neighbors in Manhattan put out feed for pigeons on their windowsill. “It’s the same three pigeons who are always there; they don't rotate,” Caroline explains. “Picky has become sort of obsessed with looking at them, and they clearly look at him, too. Sometimes they fly up to the windows of our apartment, which generates much excitement.”
Lola and Maggie Mae
Submitted by Ximena Vasquez of New York, NY
Little Lola the Havanese and Maggie Mae, a Westie, are two peas in a pod. “When they met, they hit it off instantly!” says Ximena. “They play and romp, nuzzle, snuggle and nap. I’m so glad we were able to bring these girls together, and I feel incredibly lucky that we get to watch their bond grow stronger every day.”
Brock and Angel
Submitted by Lisa Presnail of Sebring, FL
When Angel first came into the lives of the Presnail family, she was emaciated, abused and near death. Luckily her future best buddy, Brock, came to the rescue. Lisa took them both to a vet hospital, where “big boy Brock” donated blood for the suffering lass. Says Lisa, “Now Angel weighs 41 pounds, and is healthy, happy, and in love with her big brother Brock. She adores him; he saved her life.”
Angel and Daisy
Submitted by Judy Adam of Hudson, WS
For Angel, a seven-year-old Lab mix, and kitten Daisy, it was love at first sight. “It's obvious by the way Angel looks at Daisy that she cares very deeply about her welfare,” Judy says. “Angel will often walk up to Daisy—if she's sleeping in another room—and nudge her, as if to check to make sure she's okay. Daisy, in return, will clean Angel's face and play with her tail.”
Walter and Balto
Submitted by Stephanie DeThomas of Miami, FL
Both 1 1/2 years old, Walter and Balto were found separately as strays on the streets of South Florida. Now the boys are like long lost brothers. “They nap together, eat together and have a great time romping at the park,” Stephanie muses. “And Walter no longer has separation anxiety because he has a buddy and knows he is loved.”
Cooper and Roxy
Submitted by Leslie Wynne
“Our puggles, Cooper and Roxy, have a bit of a love-hate relationship,” Leslie admits. “When my husband and I are around, they constantly vie for our attention. Most of the time, though, we catch them snuggling up and loving on one another.”
Mischief and Ginger
Submitted by Sarah Farr of Draper, UT
When Mischief joined the Farr family, this sweet, snuggly feline charmed more than just the humans. “On days when nobody was home, we left our German shepherd, Ginger, in the house to watch over Mischief,” says Sarah. Ginger immediately fell in love, and Mischief repaid his canine friend by licking her. “He had to give up that project, though, as it was way too much dog for one kitten to clean.”
Piper and Pumpkin
Submitted by Tamara Folino of Mason, OH
Piper, a miniature pinscher, previously shared her home with a 10-year-old shar-pei who was too elderly to play. “When my shar-pei passed on, I brought Pumpkin into our home,” Tamara remembers. “At first, I thought Piper wanted to eat him! Now they are so cute together. Piper chases Pumpkin, Pumpkin chases Piper, and then they fall asleep next to each other.”
Black Jack and Lamb Chop
Submitted by Sue Callahan of Goose Creek, SC
Lamb Chop was originally a companion to a miniature horse on a neighboring farm. “After the mini-horse matured, the ewe would find my horse, Black Jack, and just graze with him,” remembers Sue. Now Lamb Chop never lets Black Jack out of her sight. “They share a stall and hay, and the farm’s owner says that if Black Jack ever leaves, Lamb Chop has to go with him or she’ll follow the trailer up the road.”
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