Strong friendship bonds are formed with Sammi, Rose and Casey and their owners. A Floridian chicken, Californian jumping spider, and an Australian mother octopus have become best friends with their owners, who share their friendship stories. Some relationships are based on support, while others on overcoming fear and nurture. But no matter the foundation, these bonds are genuine and unbreakable.

Sometimes the closeness of a friendship isn’t based on proximity or external factors, but on how one genuinely feels in the heart. With Bandit, Max and George’s relationships with their owners, it’s evident that love and care can grow and evolve even from a distance. These animals may not be the prettiest, but the way they warm the hearts of others is priceless.

In the relationships with Spud, Digger, and Tommy, care and affection are often reciprocated between owner and animal. Tommy the turtle’s owner requires special care to overcome an illness, and Digger the owl supports his owner recovering from a disease. The instinct and desire to nurture and support each other is truly a gift among both humans and animals that shouldn’t be taken for granted.

All animals need love in their own special way, even the ones that most are afraid of and wouldn’t think to go near. Animals like Toto the fruit bat, Banksi, the rebellious emu, and Lucy, the baboon, are grateful to be in the care of patient and understanding owners. It’s easy to love when things go well, but the true test of friendship is when one is faced with adversity and not-so-ideal situations.

Some may believe in coincidence while others believe in destiny; and it is evident Penny the pigeon, Chunk the groundhog, and Faith the cheetah were meant to be cared for by their loving owners at a particular point in time. None of these relationships were planned; and, in each story, the animal came into their owners’ lives at a time when they didn’t realize how much they needed them.

From having a goose named Gumbo as a best friend, caring for a blind hedgehog named Terry, or living with a wild cat at home, friendships are all different and meaningful. It takes a lot to embrace an uncommon situation as a new normal and ignore the negativity and distractions from the outside world. These owners are loving, caring, and also brave for taking on a responsibility that most wouldn’t.