FROM MRS Patmore to Lady Sybil, these barking mad illustrations show the WOOF-er side of some of our most loved Downton characters. The art works entitled 'Houndton Tabby', were designed by illustrator and artist Kim Parkhurst, 39, after she combined her love of drawing and Downton Abbey. 'I've been painting portraits of animals in historical costume for some time,” explains New Yorker Kim. “I've taken some familiar and beloved characters whose demeanour, personality, and appearance seemed to translate to certain breeds of dog or cat. 'I got to thinking about Mr Bates' character and storyline, and Brendan Coyle's facial structure, and how he could look hard but also had the warmest, kindest eyes.
A PENSIONER was left with a fractured jaw after being beaten and robbed outside his home in Birmingham last weekend .
A KITTEN'S teaparty and rat's playing dominoes are the bizarre creations by one of Britain's great eccentrics pictured in an incredible new book .
CLIMBING, falling and tugging on his weary mum, this little orangutan is up to all kinds of trouble .
COULD this be the most distastrous wedding cake fail EVER? Most brides opt for a traditional tiered white wedding cake decorated with delicate pink roses and lace for their big day .
MEET the little lion of suburbia with a mane that makes him look like a mini-king of the jungle .
A kingfisher’s bright blue and orange feathers glisten in the sunlight as the bird dives into a lake .
WITH A LITTLE cap of fresh snow resting on his head, this squirrel tries his best to pull off his new look .
From vibrant blues to dazzling oranges, these eye catching hummingbirds proudly show off their impressive colours .
A NINJA red squirrel cuts a dashing figure as the little fella jumps up to ten-feet between treetops in the Yorkshire Dales .
Animal rescue volunteers have told how a cat riddled with cancer was forced to ripped off its own ears after it was abandoned by its owners .
WITHOUT a care in the world, this little chimpanzee shows off her gymnastic skills as she swings around her enclosure .