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Some friendships might seem unlikely, but in reality, move mountains and melt hearts. A few years ago we wrote about a beautiful, yet uncommon, the friendship between a shepherd dog Ingo and an owl Poldi and today we present even more feathered friends of the pup.
Ingo and friends are the members of Tanja Brandt's family who is an incredible animal photographer. These furry and feathered beauties are perfect models to portray beautiful, sweet and unexpected moments between two extremely different species.
“I’ve always loved animals, since I was a baby, unlike the rest of my family"- said Tanja to Bored Panda in 2015. "When I was little, I found every sort of pet and then hid it from my parents. I love the beauty, power, loyalty, courage, and friendship of animals. Many people could learn from them.”
Below you can find some of the most amazing pictures of unlikely friends ever. Which one is your favorite?
More info: ingoundelse.de | Facebook | 500px.com
This post may include affiliate links.
#1
Joan Churton 7 years ago
This is precious and wonderful and it is hard to part from this page to view the others that are equally as beautiful. I missed my calling this lifetime. But I am doing just fine being able to see beauty like this. Thank you for posting these. You are helping me heal from a case of cabin fever. Raleigh is snowed in today, and has been for three days. We are not used to this fluffy white stuff. The youngest among are outside making snowballs and throwing them at each other. I wish you well and thank you for being you.
Shirley Cameron-Roberts 7 years ago
These images are so stunningly beautiful that it would be impossible for me to choose any one image. Very talented photographer with wonderful subjects.
Agustina Gobbi 7 years ago
WHAT DOES THAT OWL HAVE IN HIS FEET??? ISNT HE FREE? THIS PHOTOS WERE TAKEN WITH AN IMPRISONED ANIMAL WHO SHOULD BE WILD AND FREE. GROSE.
Claire Shamgochian 7 years ago
Its like a leashed dog, but with a bird you don't want to let them off leash because some birds get so excited they just fly away, get lost, can't come back, and die. It is a pet owl and probably raised by hands since the day it hatched. If Poldi were to be let go not only would he most likely miss his humans and his dog, but he would also not know how to hunt and survive in the wild since he was raised by humans not other owls.
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Lisa Mason 7 years ago
That baby is a Belgian Malinois. 😍 I have 2 and adore the breed!!!!! Thanks for sharing!
RELATED:
#2
Brooklynn Benash 7 years ago
Dog: Ok this is fine Owl: HOW COULD YOU HAVE DONE THIS TO ME YOU VILE HUMAN!
#3
Joan Churton 7 years ago
This is awesome and beautiful and precious. I am snowed in today in North Carolina and I really appreciate your pictures. I have loved animals too, all my life. Thanks again.
serena 7 years ago
I'm in NC too! We just got a dusting last night, but last week or so we got about 5 inches.
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Bruce Mckenna 7 years ago
IT IS AFTER SEVEN AM IN CALGARY AND THESE PICTURES HAVE MADE ME FEEL SO AT PEACE. WOULDNT IT BE NICE IF THE WORLD WAS LIKE THIS? I LOVE ALL ANIMALS.
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Lisa Larson 7 years ago
This one is my very favorite. For any dog to be that gentle is priceless...
Jude Summerhill 3 years ago
"So what are you looking at? We are just having some special time together!" ..... Adorable!!!
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Diane Nezar 7 years ago
Tell me wise owl, how many licks does it take to get to the center of a tootsie pop?
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Claire Shamgochian 7 years ago
I am not saying the owl and the dog do not love each other, but these photos are posed.
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#9
Granny Venenga 7 years ago
Awesome group of photos! This one is my favorite. I LOVE the lighting!
Damian David Chapman 7 years ago
melts my heart and blows my mind Mind you, love begets love which conquers all hearts
Granny Venenga 7 years ago
This whole group of photos is amazing, but this is my favorite! I LOVE the lighting on this photo!
#10
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
I can tell Ingo is smiling, even if it's on the ground! Owls can smile too, man!
Kim Lorton 7 years ago
This dog, is very content! As is the owl! The old nursery rhyme should be revamped! The owl and the Shepard, set to sea, in a big leaf boat as they would say, over the lake and to the other shore, the owl and the Shepard will be.
#11
Not Your Average Potato 7 years ago
When you're looking at Bae wondering how you got so lucky XD
Katinka Min 7 years ago
This is a ridicolously photogenic dog! <3 I mostly know Malinois as high-strung, mega-tough police dogs, but this series is too cute for words.
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Gee, you sure pretty, my sweet little owl! I hope you don't get much bigger, but if you do, that's okay too!
#12
Abbs0345 7 years ago
This looks like the Owl is riding into an epic battle on his trusty steed. Beautiful!
Brooklynn Benash 7 years ago
OFF WE GO INTO THE WAR ON HUMANS! THEY WILL BOW DOWN TO US! *Battle squeak*
#13
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Hey Snowy Owl, did you see my little owl dude? I gotta find er, she's my Touch Stone, my home, and security!
Meg Meltz 10 months ago
yes. This is a Snowy Owl and the little brown one is a Barn Owl.
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#14
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Shh, were safe now!! I'll protect you, Ingo, no one will touch you! I can't live without you!
Darlene Michuk 7 years ago
Owl looks like it is really just putting up with this camera happy dog
#15
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
I'm glad Mom said we could have a sleep over, but where's the tent, we only have a blanket! Oh well, it's still great, with my best buddy!
Virginia Souza 7 years ago
Nighty night, but 'owl' has to keep one eye open to be sure there are no intruders. So sweet.
Jude Summerhill 3 years ago
"Just as well only one of us needs to sleep .... dont know what creepy crawlies may be about" xxxxx
#16
Darin Pfaff 7 years ago
Squirrel? Yes, squirrel, definitely! Should I go get him or do you want to?
Darin Pfaff 7 years ago
Squirrel? Yes, Squirrel, definitely! You want to get him, or should I?
#17
Jude Summerhill 3 years ago
""No I wont play .... you are too clumsy with your paws" .... we could always play something else! xxx
#18
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
I love your use of light to create this dapple effect. You have some amazing photography skills. I love every single shot.
Virginia Souza 7 years ago
Only the patience of a great photographer to get this truly amazing shot.
#19
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
So...what's on the agenda for today, Ingo? Run, and play, and fly, like usual?
#20
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Shh, if we're really quiet, they won't see us, we're camouflaged! What does camouflaged mean, Ingo? :D
Virginia Souza 7 years ago
afternoon nap, and of course, the owl has an eye on the surroundings.
Joan Churton 7 years ago
if that little owl gets any closer, it's going to melt right into Ingo's body. This is so sweet. Thank you
#21
Sarah Madden 7 years ago
All these owls and ingo pictures are adorable... I can say this one is my fav... I love things in silhouette, but they are all wonderful
#22
Ruby Leroy Steadman 7 years ago
The Owl Obvs Just Told A Really a Funny Joke To Make A Dog Laugh!
Chinyelu Udeze 7 years ago
Looks like Indigo is giving the big owl gist on how things didn't go so well for him that day, and the owl be like, " WHAT?! let's go get that bish"
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
Gorgeous owl. But I think the dog is looking over to the left to see his little best friend, his owl.
#23
Joan Churton 7 years ago
You are magical and wonderful. I love all of these. You are wonderful. My printer is out of ink, but I wish it weren't so I could print these out. Thanks for being you.
#24
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Can you hear me now? Nah!, just joking with you, buddy. I had to dry my wing, after my bath. Mom, says you're turn next!
#25
Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Who said that!? Ingo, did you hear anything? Ingo, quit staring at my beauty, and listen!
#26
Robin Thompson 7 years ago
tattoo for identification. That's what we did before microchips.
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Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
I am sure glad, Mom gave us this warm blanket! Come back a wee bit more, buddy!I don't want you, to get a chill. Mom will so mad at me!
Lucette Liu 7 years ago
I'm not sure but I think that they are breeder numbers sort of like which batch of puppies he came from Maybe or maybe if someone takes him it's an easy way to find them instead of chipping him, not really sure but that's a thought.
#27
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
This one is awesome. The owl is like..." don't even think about it".
#28
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
I love this one!! How in the world did you get them to pose and stay still while you were taking the pictures??
Wamma Lamma 7 years ago
This dog seems to "match" his personality to the owl he's hanging out with. How sweet!
#29
Lucida 7 years ago
I allways think people are stupid when they comment like: "The dog is smiling, look at that happy face!" but the dog is just panting with an open month. But know I'm one of those stupid people, because this dog really looks like as if he is smiling. :)
Laura Johnston 7 years ago
Then you never had a dog. They do smile from ear to ear.
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Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Ingo, this is my cousin, Tanja. She just flew in from Alaska! It's okay, she won't hurt you!
susan behrman 7 years ago
These owls are strapped down and they appear frightened to me. Ingo appears tired, nothing but tired. How many hours does the photographer make the dog stay still and keep the owls in place while she gets the 'perfect shot'? I know what a happy dog looks like, Ingo does not appear that way at all. I don't know enough about owls to interpret their expressions, but relaxed, content and happy are not entering into even my amateur judgment.
Chaussee 7 years ago
The owls in this photo, and in all the others, are strapped down, they cannot move. Ingo does not have owl 'friends'. Ingo is forced, and the owls are forced, to pose for these photos, probably for long periods of time while the photographer 'gets it right'. Ingo generally looks tired and perhaps even frightened. I'm not familiar enough the with expressions of owls to say what they are feeling, but doubt it it is anything like trust, comfort, or happiness.
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Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
So, how do you like my new boots? Now I don't have to get mud, between my toes, that was disgusting!! :))
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Maggie Dougherty 7 years ago
Ingo, I'm not fat, I'm fluffy! So quit staring! Brandt, where are you??
Jill Bussey 4 years ago
My coat is the latest winter fashion; all natural feathers, of course!
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Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
How in the world did you train the dog to do all of those things?? And, how did you train the owls? They must trust you a lot to allow themselves to be trained. Were they raised by humans hands from the time they were born?
#38
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
Again, the use of the light used to create the dapple effect is absolutely gorgeous.
#39
Renske Blanken 7 years ago
Jeee, I'm so in love with Belgium shepherds (Mechelen)... it's unconditional.
#40
Betsy Knox 7 years ago
Okay, now it's your turn to stay on watch. Wake me if any bears show up.
#41
Jude Summerhill 3 years ago
"If its all the same to you I think I'd rather fly than trust your driving skills" xxx
#42
Renske Blanken 7 years ago
I really can NOT get enough of that dogface... and those wonderful owls.
Kathie Daniel Fertur Lux 7 years ago
The owls looked surprised, the dog looks like he is laughing.... I know he is probably just panting, but still.....
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Ilona Glaubitz 7 years ago
Nagyon szeretem a baglyokat, de ez a kutya csodálatosan szép és okos
#43
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
OMG...this one is so awesome. I would absolutely love a large print of this one, then I would find a gorgeous frame, and hang it up on my wall. Amazing Shot.
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Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
They look like they were having a conversation, and then you showed up. So they stopped their convo and the owl gave you the stink eye for interrupting them. LOL
#50
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 7 years ago
Funny thing - he isn't, really. He's just wonderfully chill when it comes to his owls. He's hectic and wild, doesn't like dogs or other animals, is nervous and a big grump. But with his owls, he just is calm and careful.
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Gillian Black 7 years ago
holiday time we are going to the sun, hey buddy do you need help with your bag
Tina Nguyen 7 years ago
Haha are they going to the Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry? 🤣🤣🤣
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Kathie Daniel Fertur Lux 7 years ago
Oh WOL, according to Winnie the Pooh....
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River Campbell 7 years ago
Yeah, so you're telling me that you were the Goblin King until you tried to help some ungrateful gal named Sarah out with her baby problem? Man, that's a bummer!
#61
Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
Wow!!! The lighting is perfect, It brings Ingo into such a beautiful soft focus. And it makes the owl look almost ethereal. Gorgeous Shot!!!
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Tammy Chapman 7 years ago
Ah!!! Ingo and his very best friend. The pictures of these 2 little buddies are my favorites. They are perfect for each other!!! And I love his little buddy, the owl. His eyes almost always say " stay away from us...NOW...!!!" It blows my mind that they have such s close bond!! Awesome!!!!
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Celina 7 years ago
If that were a fishing owl, that would have worked. Burrowing owls are only made to dig and run...They can't fly very well. But this comment is cute!
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#75
Kim Scobie 7 years ago
Cockatoos and cockatiels "smile" when they are comfortable/happy by fluffing out the feathers around their beaks, so maybe owls are the same. The next picture appears to show that.
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Gillian Black 7 years ago
these are so amazing what a great dog and as for the owl well what can I say
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Jennie Hiatt 7 years ago
I'll keep your claws dry little owl - I have longer legs for wading across!
Moo Moo Futch 7 years ago
“it’s ok bud, I’ll get you across the river safely. Hop on my stick and I’ll take you to the other side.”
#83
Celina 7 years ago
And disgusted...But warm. And keeping you safe is what matters.
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Jennie Hiatt 7 years ago
If you just stand still they will never spot us under here little owl.
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Joy Leonard 7 years ago
Yes, Jo, for the most part owls are nocturnal. But they are active in daytime as well. Most of their hunting is done at night, but the are active during the day as well. Think of them as winged cats. They have quiescant time at any time of the day or night. With bursts of frenetic activity. ~The reason that owls are thought of as nocturnal is mainly down to the fact that their eyesight is better in the dark and so they hunt at night.
Jo Acosta 7 years ago
While these are certainly beautiful photographs, I am skeptical of their authenticity. Owls are nocturnal and reclusive birds. Sorry, BP, I believe we've been led astray by our great desire for feel-good uplift.
Marlowe Fitzpatrik 7 years ago
Some owls aren't nocturnal at all. The Snowy Owl for example would die if it only hunted at night... since half the year is daylight in their original environment.
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Monica Laska 7 years ago
theses pictures are beautiful!!! and Ingo is one handsome dog. thanks for sharing these made my day
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What do you think ?
Jennifer Grady Bean 7 years ago
Birds... there are clearly multiple birds in the photos. Looks like they were all staged. Still pretty cute though.
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Ann-Kathrin Schulte 7 years ago
I'm impressed, they look stunning and cute on every pic. I love them.
Roger Hawcroft 7 years ago
Wonderful. Absolutely great set of images. I am a chronic depressive who constantly contemplates suicide, not least because of the crassness and grossness of people Thank you for being who you are and for giving me a smile and feeling of wonder at the diversity and unlikely relationships that nature brings. I loved this. Thanks again for sharing.
Yuppersnopers 7 years ago
Hey, I also felt down today, and these photos uplifted me. I know I'm a stranger on the internet but f you are struggling and ever need to talk, let me know.
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Neve von C 7 years ago
whenever i have a bad day, i know now what will make my day the most beautiful in the world. animals are and they will stay my number 1.
Jennifer Grady Bean 7 years ago
Birds... there are clearly multiple birds in the photos. Looks like they were all staged. Still pretty cute though.
Load More Replies... Ann-Kathrin Schulte 7 years ago
I'm impressed, they look stunning and cute on every pic. I love them.
Roger Hawcroft 7 years ago
Wonderful. Absolutely great set of images. I am a chronic depressive who constantly contemplates suicide, not least because of the crassness and grossness of people Thank you for being who you are and for giving me a smile and feeling of wonder at the diversity and unlikely relationships that nature brings. I loved this. Thanks again for sharing.
Yuppersnopers 7 years ago
Hey, I also felt down today, and these photos uplifted me. I know I'm a stranger on the internet but f you are struggling and ever need to talk, let me know.
Load More Replies... Neve von C 7 years ago
whenever i have a bad day, i know now what will make my day the most beautiful in the world. animals are and they will stay my number 1.
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