German shepherd foster mom raises cougar cubs in Russian Zoo

Source:  http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/

Staff at the zoo in Samara, Russia, were excited about the birth of three cougar cubs on July 15 -- but they were afraid to leave the cubs with their parents for fear that they could react aggressively and harm the infants.

The cubs were given instead to Cholli, a German shepherd dog with five young puppies of her own and a maternal instinct that just wouldn't quit. Since then, Cholli and her foster "kids" have gotten along swimmingly, and she's fed them and cared for them as if they were her own puppies.

We're always impressed by animals who overlook the differences between species to make sure that youngsters are okay -- whether it's a duck caring for kittens, a dog raising an orphaned monkey or a house cat nursing a litter of bobcats. Oh, animals, we'll never grow tired of marveling at you!