More Philanthropic Animals

Back in December I posted the heartwarming Christmastime story of the homeless one year-old boy who was raised by Argentinian cats. Now in Russia it seems that cats and dogs have banded together to care for a neglected 5 year old girl. This has gone on for so long that the girl, named "Natasha," acts like a puppy instead of a human.

These are just the latest cases of a phenomenon known as "feral children." Rather like the feral cats that skulk around our apartment complex, children can be either "domesticated" or "wild." Perhaps the most famous feral children of all were Romulus and Remus, the 2 brothers that, according to legend, founded Rome. They were allegedly raised by a wolf, and they're far from the only ones that had that experience. Kids are said to have been raised not just by wolves, dogs, and cats, but monkeys, bears, goats and even an ostrich.

This fascinating site lists numerous children ranging far back in history and the animals that raised them.