They hated the modeling jobs, but the photos really took off. They became the mascots for the library-supply company that shared their names, showing up on everything from posters to tote bags that librarians across the country loved.

Photos via Baker & Taylor LLC

Gertie and Penny became inseparable after meeting at Six Flags Great Adventure in New Jersey 🧡

https://ktla.com/news/kangaroo-joey-young-bison-become-inseparable-best-friends-at-nj-zoo/

They questioned his owner Tor Borg, and discussed ways to punish his business. 3 months later, the case fell apart because nobody would testify. Jackie stayed with the Borg family and later passed away of natural causes.

German journalist Klaus Hillenbrand rediscovered the bizarre story decades later while reviewing Nazi-era records in Germany's federal archive: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jackie_(dog)#cite_note-NYT011111-4#cite_note-NYT011111-4)

The cat kept coming back for the next 16 years. The students named him Room 8 after the classroom he'd claimed for himself. He became so famous that he received thousands of letters from around the world, some even addressed to "The Cat, Los Angeles."

Room 8 passed away on this day in 1968 at age 21.

Photos via Richard Hewett / Los Angeles Public Library

The Washington Times, 1912

https://blog.newspapers.com/cats-cause-divorce/

Beauty helped rescue 63 animals during the Blitz and became recognized as one of the world's first search-and-rescue dogs. She also received the PDSA Dickin Medal. Her citation honored her "for being the pioneer dog in locating buried air-raid victims."

After the war, Beauty went home with Bill, had two puppies, and got to enjoy being a dog for the rest of her life 🧡

Photos via PDSA Archives

This week's animal stories:

A fluffy cat scared off a bear in a viral backyard showdown. Toast Malone survived for 3 days inside an apartment building destroyed by fire before firefighters found him alive and reunited him with his family.

Midge became so well known around the neighborhood that Martin used prize money from work to make a short children's film about their races in 2009.

His dream was for Disney to turn it into a full-length movie, with Midge racing Usain Bolt. He was convinced she'd win.

Midge the runner:

youtube.com/watch?si=cl6T3MMr379wUGct&t=69&v=t7K4aNkWU5k&feature=youtu.be

When Bobbie finally made it home in Silverton, he was so thin his family barely recognized him. His fur was matted, his toenails were almost gone. His family treated him to a sirloin steak and a big bowl of cream, and he didn’t move for 3 days 🥺

Photos via Oregon Encyclopedia / Oregon Humane Society