We Love Animals
Animals Wildlife

This Photographer Has Captured The Tender Friendship Between a Dog And an Owl (19 pics)

The stories of friendships born between animals of different species are not uncommon.

But I wouldn’t have believed that an owl and a dog could become the best friends of until I saw these adorable photos by Tanja Brandt, a professional animal photographer and collage artist in Germany.

Ingo the Malinois shepherd dog and Poldi, the cute owl, seem very happy to cozy up to each other for photoshoots, no questions asked.

Image credits: Tanja Brandt

Ingo always wants to keep Poldi close by and always offers his love and protection. Poldi “doesn’t know how to live free”, according to Tanja.

Photo by Tanja Brandt-Tierfotografie on August 18, 2019.

“I go outside with them together — Poldi on my hand, Ingo is free running,” said Tanja. “(Referring to the owl flying free) Not so with Poldi. It’s too dangerous. Every cat would kill him, he don’t know hows to live free.”

“Sometimes, Ingo will go for a walk with Poldi hitching a ride on his back.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-8

Other times, the duo will simply snuggle up together, with the petite Poldi finding a warm spot to nestle, like under Ingo’s chin, or behind his paw.

Occasionally, if Ingo is fetching something, Poldi will take the opportunity to land and grab a new and different vantage point.”

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-9

Poldi the owl was the smallest hatchling of 7. He almost didn’t make it out of his shell and is lucky to be alive.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-1

Poldi is a bit more vulnerable than his brothers and sisters. He hatched two days later than his siblings and is quite tiny compared to other owls. In short, he needed more attention and care than others.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-10

That is in sharp contrast with Ingo, who has experience protecting others. The Belgian Shepherd comes from a family of police dogs and has definitely had his tough moments in life.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-14

“Ingo, somehow sensing that Poldi was vulnerable, decided to assign himself the role of protector and best friend,” and the rest is photo history.

Photo by Tanja Brandt-Tierfotografie on November 13, 2019.

“Poldi does have a special lady now, and Ingo is a dog with a busy interspecies social calendar, so these best buds sometimes find they have other responsibilities.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-13

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-5

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-7

Still, whenever they can, they come back to one another, and enjoy just hanging — two unexpected friends who totally adore each other.”

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-6

If you like these photos, be sure to visit Brandt’s site, because Ingo has a whole lot of beautiful animal friendships, be they other Belgian shepherds or other fierce birds of prey besides Poldi.

Photo by Tanja Brandt-Tierfotografie on November 03, 2019. Image may contain: dog, outdoor and nature.
Photo by Tanja Brandt-Tierfotografie on October 18, 2019.

Brandt creates animal photos and collages professionally, so she seems to have a lot of cooperative models to work with!

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-11

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-12

Photo by Tanja Brandt-Tierfotografie on November 09, 2019.

ingo-else-dog-owl-friendship-tanja-brandt-2

Related posts

The tiny elephant shrew spotted alive for the first time in 50 years

Carolyn Mullet

10+ Animals Who Have Incredible Expressions When Something Unexpected Happens

Carolyn Mullet

Born With Symmetrical Spiral Horns, The African Antelope Greater Kudu Is At The Center Of Attention

Olivia

Survived Most Horrific Neglect, Heidi The Little Pony Proves That She Is A Fighter

Margot Nolan

Huge 500lb Lion Befriends 11lb Miniature Dachshund, And They Become Inseparable

Margot Nolan

10+ Photos Show That Animals Should Not Get Wet

Carolyn Mullet

Yellow, Orange, Black, Dark Blue, And Chestnut Brown Come Up On Plumage, Malayan Banded Pitta Is A Precious Gem Of Nature

Olivia

20+ Photos Of Shy Animals Who Are Blushing Due To Your Stare

Carolyn Mullet

Rescued Puma Can’t Be Released Into Wild So He Lives As A Spoiled House Cat

Carolyn Mullet

Streaks of Blue And Violet Tones, This Bird Looks Like It Came Straight Out of a Fairy Tale (Gallery)

Carolyn Mullet

Cornflower Blue Plumage with Pure White Underparts, The Blue Vanga Is A Precious Flying Gem Of Nature

Margot Nolan

An Adorable Warbler With Striking Plumage Of Zebra-like Black And White Stripes

Margot Nolan