Learn about the incredible accomplishments of famous animals--

During the First World War, President Woodrow Wilson bought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds to save money on groundskeeping. One of the sheep, called Old Ike, even became a public phenomenon for his ornery disposition and his penchant for chewing tobacco. Included here are hundreds of well-researched accounts of the fascinating animals that have played vital roles throughout history. Featured animals include Able, who flew on a space mission; Bayou, Salvador Dali's ocelot companion; and G.I. Joe, a pigeon who saved more than 100 people during World War II. These and many other stories detail the unexpected contributions of our animal companions in settings of war, space travel, stage and screen. The book is organized alphabetically by the given name of each animal, and entries feature compelling factual descriptions in a storytelling format.

"Wild Lives: Stories of Famous Animals in Nature" is a collection of stories about some of the most beloved creatures in the animal kingdom. In this book, we will delve into the lives of these creatures, exploring their history, habitat, behavior, and interactions with humans. We will also examine the impact that humans have had on their populations and the environment, and discuss the importance of conservation efforts. The book is divided into chapters, each focusing on a different animal or bird species. Moving on, we will delve into the world of big cats, including the African lion, the Siberian tiger, and the leopard. We will discover their hunting strategies, social behaviors, and the threats they face in the wild. We will also explore the role of these magnificent creatures in human culture and mythology. Next, we will explore the underwater world of dolphins, whales, and sharks. These creatures have captured our imaginations for centuries, and we will learn about their intelligence, communication, and social structures. We will also discuss the impact of human activities on their populations and the need for conservation efforts to protect these fascinating creatures. We will also look at some of the most beloved domesticated animals, including dogs, cats, and horses. We will explore the unique bonds between these animals and humans, and examine the roles they have played in our lives throughout history. We will also discuss the challenges facing these animals, including overbreeding and mistreatment, and explore the efforts being made to protect their welfare. Finally, we will turn our attention to some of the world's most exotic creatures, including the Komodo dragon, the giant panda, and the sloth. These animals may be rare, but they are no less fascinating. We will learn about their unique adaptations, behaviors, and habitats, and explore the challenges they face in the wild.

"For those unaware—as I was until I read this book—that Mark Twain was one of America's early animal advocates, Shelley Fisher Fishkin's collection of his writings on animals will come as a revelation. Many of these pieces are as fresh and lively as when they were first written, and it's wonderful to have them gathered in one place." —Peter Singer, author of Animal Liberation and The Life You Can Save “A truly exhilarating work. Mark Twain's animal-friendly views would not be out of place today, and indeed, in certain respects, Twain is still ahead of us: claiming, correctly, that there are certain degraded practices that only humans inflict on one another and upon other animals. Fishkin has done a splendid job: I cannot remember reading something so consistently excellent."—Jeffrey Moussaieff Masson, author of When Elephants Weep and The Face on Your Plate "Shelley Fisher Fishkin has given us the lifelong arc of the great man's antic, hilarious, and subtly profound explorations of the animal world, and she's guided us through it with her own trademark wit and acumen. Dogged if she hasn't." —Ron Powers, author of Dangerous Water: A Biography of the Boy Who Became Mark Twain and Mark Twain: A Life

Dogs: If therapists didn't charge you and were willing to chase sticks, they would be dogs. The kindly and receptive silence, the respect for secrets, the inexhaustible supply of attention-these are a dog's, and a therapist's, finest qualities. Dogs, though, are more fun than therapists, more tender, more dear, and certainly more admiring. Turkeys: I never expected to have any feelings about turkeys, but I love them. They follow me around like puppies. If I say "gobble" to them, they all start gobbling, in unison. Sometimes they show up outside my office and tap on the windows until I look up at them, and then they wait there, with endless patience, until I come outside and greet them. Chickens: Tweed and Mabel Black Label, my Araucana hens, are somewhat antisocial. When I pick up either of them, they eye me with such deep suspicion that I feel like they can smell omelets on my breath. Pet tigers: You know how it is-you start with one tiger, then you get another and another, then a few are born and a few die, and you start to lose track of details like exactly how many tigers you have. Cats: The cats were acquired to deal with the mice in the basement, but they don't like being in the basement because, well, I don't know why. Maybe because there are mice down there. Coyotes: Like everyone in Los Angeles, the coyotes I've seen there look like they work out a lot with personal trainers. Book jacket.