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 woman has lost a massive 15st after beating her addiction to cheese .
A mum-of-three lost half of her body weight after her daughter was teased by playground bullies for having a 'fat mum' .
A baby sperm whale assumed the role of a friendly giant when faced with two awestruck divers .
A middle-aged couple from Somerset have developed a rather unusual hobby to occupy their time: writing to killers on death row .
An elegant snowy owl spreads her wings and glides effortlessly above the snow covered field .
A hungry hippo is seconds away from catching a bird in its gigantic jaws .
Bathers on a New Zealand beach stripped naked and took to the Pacific Ocean in an attempt to shatter the record for the world's largest skinny dip .
A restaurant famed for creating the 3lb cheeseburger has unveiled its latest culinary challenge – the largest chilli cheese hotdog in Europe .
This daredevil wildebeest tried a walk on the wild side - straight into the snatches of a huge 18 foot crocodile .
Oscar Pistorius entered a courtroom Monday for the start of his murder trial, walking past the victim's mother who says she came to court so she can ‘really look him in the eyes .
SNUGGLING up against their teddy bears, these baby sloths could easily be mistaken for one of the cuddly toys .
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 .