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.
WITH THEIR adorable big round eyes and fluffy white fur, these baby seals are cute enough to melt any heart .
FLOATING effortlessly on his back, this little otter laps up a rare glimmer of English spring sunshine .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
Beautiful turquoise waves rise and fall in a series of stunning images taken along the coastline of south-eastern Australia .
A disabled sheep is enjoying a new fleece of life after receiving a specially-designed wheelchair .
This may look like a monster car engine that will leave petrol heads in a spin, but it is in fact a rather snazzy looking COFFEE MACHINE .
While often referred to as the kings of the jungle, gorillas - for all their might - are notorious hydrophobes .
PICKING up a tiny tea-pot with its paws, a little red squirrel struggles to prepare its morning tea .
SURROUNDED by a snowstorm, these young polar bears battle the elements - as well as each other .
IN a galaxy not so far away lies a magical display of lights that could be the latest image from NASA .
BREATHING life back into old photographs, these black and white images are transformed by colour .
FINALLY catching a meal, a pair of great white egrets fight over their dinner .