(TOUCHING TALE) In the past few days, many touching stories involving animals caught up in the aftermath of the devastating Oklahoma tornado have come to light. Barbara Garcia, a Moore resident who lost her home and her dog, was miraculously reunited with the pup in a tear-jerking video that has taken the Internet by storm. But a picture of a mud-covered dog faithfully standing by a deceased victim's body after the Oklahoma tornado hit has become a source of mystery. The dog, Susie, was photographed solemnly sitting amidst a pile of rubble. The story became even more heart-wrenching when reports revealed the dog was guarding a dead body, who everyone assumed was her guardian. Read on to find out the real story behind this moving picture. — Global Animal

(TOUCHING TALE) Bridget Evans and her service dog named Hero received a resounding applause as they crossed the podium to accept her master's degree from the College of Applied Health Sciences at the University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign. The pair attended the commencement ceremony in matching royal blue caps and gowns in honor of their accomplishments together. Read on for more on this inspiring duo, and learn how the amazing pair has touched the hearts of many. — Global Animal

(TOUCHING TALE) Marine Sgt. Ross Gundlach has finally been reunited with his long, lost love—a golden Labrador named Casey who served with him when he was a dog handler in Afghanistan. The two embarked on over 150 missions during their time together. The two embarked on over 150 missions during their time together, during which Gundlach says Casey was so efficient, she never once missed an explosive and even caught three prior to discharging. Read on to learn more about this touching tale and watch the video of the heartwarming reunion. — Global Animal

(ANIMAL NEWS) Monday, a massive tornado struck the Oklahoma City area around 3 p.m. and stayed on the ground for a grueling 40 minutes. The violent cyclone swept through the region in a destructive furry, leveling businesses, demolishing homes, and destroying two elementary schools. Many are desperately trying to reach and find loved ones affected by the life-changing event, and organizations, like Google, the Oklahoma Humane Society, and Reddit, are working around the clock to help confirm the safety of tornado survivors. Continue reading for more on the Oklahoma tornado and the catastrophic event's ongoing rescue efforts. — Global Animal

(ANIMAL VIDEO) Every musician needs a muse...and a meow! With music festival season in full swing, now's the time to check out these purrfect pictures of some very talented musicians and their adorable feline friends. — Global Animal

(CUTE ANIMAL PICTURES) These Hedgehogs, while providing love and joy to their companions, have also been moonlighting in secret jobs that their companions thankfully documented. Some hedgehogs enjoy sailing while others enjoy playing piano and ruling kingdoms. Scroll through the gallery to learn more about these working critters. — GlobalAnimal

(DOG PICTURES) Relationships between pets and companions are some of the strongest ones we can have. In the case of Xena, a Staffordshire terrier/pit bull mix, and Jonny Hickey, the bond between pet and human also serves as an effective therapy. Jonny, an 8-year-old boy diagnosed with autism, would seldom speak, and often isolated himself from others, until Xena came into his life. Since their new found friendship Jonny has completely changed his demeanor, and has become exponentially expressive. His mother told the Today Show, "He is the happiest child that I've ever seen him be in eight years." Xena also benefits from this relationship. Abandoned at a young age, Xena's journey has lead her to a loving family and a new best friend. Their tale shows the power of human-animal relationships. Here's a glimpse of their story. — Global Animal

(DOGS) An animal companion may not just warm your heart, but also help you maintain a healthy heart. In a new press release from the American Heart Association, pets—particularly dogs—are associated with lowering blood pressure, stress, cholesterol levels, and incidence of obesity. So, the next time your buddy is nudging you for a walk around the block, just remember that you're not only taking proper steps to keep your dog healthy, but you're also doing your heart some good! Read on for more information on dogs and their relation to human heart health. — Global Animal