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See what made you and your fellow Facebookers express yourselves with our 12 most-liked animal stories below.
TODAY
12. Obie the obese dog works toward weight loss
With 12,403 likes on our Facebook page, Obie's struggle with losing weight captured the hearts of TODAY viewers. He weighed twice the average for a dachshund at 77 pounds. We've been keeping up with Obie's struggle, which included a custody battle in October, and wish the best for this overweight pooch!
Nathan Edwards / Newspix via Rex USA
11. Dolphin and seal are underwater BFFs
When we see two different animal species become unlikely best buds, we just can't resist sharing their story with you! Jet the dolphin and Miri the seal have been inseparable since they were only two months old. While their friendship may be unlikely, especially since in the wild they would be competing for fish, it was not surprising that this post received 13,130 likes on our Facebook page.
Rob Leeson / Newspix via Rex USA
10. Cuddle buddies! Orphaned kangaroo and wombat become best friends
Another unlikely animal friendship that captured our hearts and yours in 2012 was that of Anzac, an orphaned 5-month-old kangaroo, and Peggy, an orphaned 5-month-old baby wombat. These two both lost their mothers but ended up forming a bond with each other. 14,445 people liked this story on our Facebook page.
Caters News Agency
9. Meet Emma, the tiny donkey with a pink prosthetic leg
It's clear this inspiring recovery story was irresistible, getting 14,734 likes on our Facebook page. This miniature donkey foal was born with a deformed leg and was finally able to walk after a custom-fit pink prosthetic was made just for her. I dare you to look at the above photo and not smile!
TODAY
8. Girl's best friend is a dog who carries her oxygen
This touching story illustrates how much a dog really can be a kid's best friend. Suffering from a rare lung disease, 3-year-old Alida is able to live more of a normal life thanks to her service dog Mr. Gibbs. Her amazing story garnered 15,264 likes on our Facebook page.
Adam Hunger / Reuters
7. Rush is on to rescue animals stranded in Sandy's wake
Everyone pulled together to help people and animals alike in the wake of Hurricane Sandy. This touching story of rescue workers helping animals stranded by Sandy, with resources on how you can help, received 16,580 likes on Facebook.
Courtesy Larassa Kabel
6. The 2012 White House holiday card stars Bo!
Who can resist the adorable first dog? This beautiful wintry image of Bo earned 18,322 likes on Facebook.
Marisa Papile Urbano/Facebook
5. Facebook campaign gets kids 100,000 'Likes,' 1 cat
Our story about two adorable kids adopting a shelter cat thanks to their social media-savvy mom and more than 100,000 Facebook users received 21,061 likes on our Facebook page. From the happy looks on their faces in the photo above, we can only image what they looked like when they reached their goal!
Casey Gutteridge / SWNS.com
4. 8 photos of a puppy and kitten who think they're sisters
There really isn't anything more we can say about this cute story that got 23,981 likes on our Facebook page other than: Awww!
Marina Cano / Solent News via Rex USA
3. A mother's determination: Elephant rescues baby trapped in mud
No matter what the species, this story showed that a mom will do anything for her child. On our Facebook page this heartwarming story received 29,556 likes.
TODAY
2. Two-faced kitty is drawing double takes across Web
Don't worry, Photoshop had nothing to do with this cat's striking features! Venus, a cat with two different color eyes and fur that is divided right down the middle between black and ginger, became a viral sensation on Reddit, Facebook and in a YouTube video with more than 600,000 views. This story received 38,773 likes on our Facebook page.
Hannah Stonehouse Hudson/Stoneho
1. In loving arms: Man floats his sick dog to sleep, becomes Internet sensation
How can I put into words how this story of unconditional love touched us all? For 19 years John Unger's loyal companion was his dog Schoep and when he learned his dog had severe arthritis and might have had to be put down he was devastated — and also determined to help alleviate his friend's pain. He brought Schoep to a lake, where he hoped his dog could feel weightless and relaxed.
A photo of his caring act was uploaded on Facebook and soon went viral. The story received 51,909 likes on our Facebook page, and the reaction was felt by Unger himself. Strangers began reaching out to help and when we last caught up with Unger the resulting treatments had helped Schoep immensely.
What TODAY animal story of 2012 did you like most? Tell us which one of the stories above you liked most or if you enjoyed a different one more in the comments below!
TODAY.com producer Lisa Granshaw just can't get enough of these inspiring, adorable animal stories. She is excited to see what antimal stories 2013 will hold!
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Animals can teach us a lot,but if you love your pet,and animals in general, you are already warm earthed human been,and you are heading in the right direction.
I love all these stories because it shows people that animals do truly have feelings. Being an animal lover and advocate I have met people who don't believe that animals feel love like humans do and these stories prove them wrong! My favorite story is of John and Schoep floating in the lake. It is my favorite because I can totally relate. I would do anything to help either one of my dogs. They give me such love and support and reason to live that it would be an honor to be able to give back in such a precious way! I am so happy the treatments are helping Schoep and hope he has many pain free years left!
Jo Schoep is feeling a bit better!hn Unger with his beautiful dog, in the water. Now that's caring,and trust,from both of them. I'm so glad Schoep is doing better.
I am always touched by the picture of Mr. Unger floating his dog and the expression on the dog's face of complete love and contentment. I hope to be able to help my pup like this in any time of need. Words cannot express the love a dog has in his (or her) heart for their people/person. Truly a gift from God himself.
I personally like ANY story that is kind to an animal. Animals melt my heart and I tend to like and love them more than humans most of the time. The love they have in their hearts is amazing. Nothing compairs to it. I love any story that someone fights for an animal.
Absolutely beautiful, heartwarming, touching pictures. I must agree with most of the other folks tho. I love the picture of the man helping his arthritic dog in the water. As one person said, the dog's face says it all....
Merry Christmas......
The story of Mr. Unger and his love for his dog was most touching.
All feel good animal stories are my favorite and these were all feel good.
I love the story of the man, John & his dog, Schoep! John was just doing what he and his dog normally do while captured in the picture. The picture is very peaceful and shows the love the man has for his dog. When I first saw the picture I said to myself, "I want to meet this man". I came on this sight to vote his picture #1 for 2012. While on this site I came across the article written on him. My heart goes out to John who radiates his caring personality through the photo of himself floating his dog. Merry Christmas!
It figures that the POS liberal news media would promote that murdering POS Obama's dog, there was absolutely nothing about Bo that should have earned him a spot in this article, just like that murdering POS Obama getting the dishonorable Nobel Peace prize for having a thought or being named man of the year for doing nothing but destroying this country and dividing her!
All of the stories were heartfelt and heartwarming. Number one on the list is something that has to leave a lump in your throat.
I get reports on John and Schoep all the time on Facebook. He lives about 60 miles from me. Tonight's picture of Schoep was him jumping at the snow as there was a mouse beneath the snow. Both John and Schoep are really happy with the Therapy and Schoep loves the snow.
The story about the man allowing his dog to sleep while floating him in the water is a heart wrencher! John Unger is one of a kind and Sheop is avery lucky dog. Made me cry and was very touching. Wish more people would have love for the animals who coexist in our kingdom, the domesticated ones as well as the wild ones. They deserve a good life as well as us. So many people are vicious and heartless when it comes to an animal. Thank you John.
I agree with most of the posters here - I love the picture of John and Schoep. After 19 years together you can surely see the bond of trust and love they have for each other. Like most of us animal lovers here, I would do anything in my power to help my critters. Good going John!
Also, for those criticizing the fat doxie - she was actually turned in to a rescue by her elderly owners. They over fed her out of misguided love. They realized, as their own health declined, that the dog needed help they could not provide. Another sad part of the story is that the rescuer and the dog's foster mom were in a fight over who got to keep the dog. I turned really ugly and custody was supposed to be decided in a court of law. I didn't hear how that turned out seeing the dog's picture again makes me wonder. I hope he is losing weight in a healthy way and is doing better.
The story of John and Schoep was the most touching to my heart and soul. But all the stories were equally important in my 2nd place choices for them. They showed how different animals can get along, how people love their pets (except the obese dog-that's not love). The dog who laid by his owner's coffin (military) was important. The love connection everyone and anyone feels with an animal just can't be described and the photos of this interaction proves that.....they are priceless.
Dear Ms. Granshaw,
I found all of these stories heartwarming...especially that of John and his dog, Schoep, and I thank you for taking the efforts necessary to bring these to light. It certainly helps to promote animal welfare when we see what is being done by others, and encourages the average Joe to make a difference where and when he can. There is another story, however, which seems to have escaped your attention, and I would like to take this opportunity to share it with you as your viewers/readers might also like to "tune in" as this story is still in progress. Kabang is a street dog from the Philippines who was seriously injured saving the lives of two little girls. She is now in California, courtesy of many corporate sponsorships and a grassroots social media campaign, awaiting maxillo-facial surgery at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. A web campaign that garnered donations from over 33 different countries successfully raised the funds necessary to cover the costs of her veterinary care and surgery. On December 7th. she was given an honorary hero award and medal of valor by the American Red Cross along with state and congressional certificates. Her facebook page now has over 17,000 followers, and each new photo is getting 1500-2500+ likes. Her surgery has been delayed until early this spring due to some unexpected findings upon arrival which were necessary to treat first. Please see her website and FB page for more on her unique injury and story, or contact UC Davis' Communications Officer, Rob Warren at (530) 752-2363 / for the latest news on her progress. Or, feel free to contact me for the complete story. Karen Kenngott, AWC-US Coordinator for Project Kabang (Linked-in or FB message preferred).
Apparently the links I posted did not make copy. Perhaps these will:
www.careforkabang.com
www.facebook.com/careforkabang
Dear Ms. Granshaw,
I found all of these stories heartwarming...especially that of John and his dog, Schoep, and I thank you for taking the efforts necessary to bring these to light. It certainly helps to promote animal welfare when we see what is being done by others, and encourages the average Joe to make a difference where and when he can. There is another story, however, which seems to have escaped your attention, and I would like to take this opportunity to share it with you as your viewers/readers might also like to "tune in" as this story is still in progress. Kabang is a street dog from the Philippines who was seriously injured saving the lives of two little girls. She is now in California, courtesy of many corporate sponsorships and a grassroots social media campaign, awaiting maxillo-facial surgery at UC Davis Veterinary Medical Teaching Hospital. A web campaign that garnered donations from over 33 different countries successfully raised the funds necessary to cover the costs of her veterinary care and surgery. On December 7th. she was given an honorary hero award and medal of valor by the American Red Cross along with state and congressional certificates. Her facebook page now has over 17,000 followers, and each new photo is getting 1500-2500+ likes. Her surgery has been delayed until early this spring due to some unexpected findings upon arrival which were necessary to treat first. Please see her website and FB page for more on her unique injury and story, or contact UC Davis' Communications Officer, Rob Warren at (530) 752-2363 / for the latest news on her progress. Or, feel free to contact me for the complete story. Karen Kenngott, AWC-US Coordinator for Project Kabang (Linked-in or FB message preferred).
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The man with his dog in the water.The faces of the dog and man show such a contentment and love. Unconditional love goes both ways.