Sophie, a Springer Spaniel who lives at a bird rescue center in Liskeard, Cornwall, has unusual pal - an eagle owl named Bramble.

The duo's friendship began when baby Bramble was rescued and brought to the center. Because baby owls have no feathers, he had to be brought inside the house, where Sophie lives with her owner Sharon Bindon, who runs the center.

Three-year old Sophie immediately took the baby owl under her wings, licking him clean. That was the beginning of not only a beautiful relationship, but also the grooming of what is now probably one of the cleanest owls in the world.

That's because, even though Bramble is all grown and lives in the aviary outside the house, every morning, he flaps his wings asking to be let out. As soon as the cage is opened, he immediately flies over to his buddy Sophie, for his daily 'bath'. Sophie of course willingly obliges, for isn't that what friends are for?

sources:dailymail.co.uk, sun.co.uk