Photo Credit: Tanja Brandt/Facebook

This incredibly heartwarming photo of a tiny owl taking shelter from the rain underneath a mushroom took the Internet by storm recently, leaving many to wonder more about this especially adorable animal. If the owl looks familiar, that may be because the creature named Poldi is also famous for its unusual relationship with a German shepherd dog, and has been seen in numerous images taken by photographer Tanja Brandt.

As so many viewers wanted to know more about Poldi, Bored Panda recently talked to Brandt to ask her about the bird. She told the site,
“Poldi, our little owl is 1,5 years old. I got him when he was five months old. He didn’t want to come out his egg and he was very small, the smallest. His six sisters were all hatched, and as he was the last to be born, days after the others, he was very small. I also have a Harris Hawk named Phönix, a Weissgesichtseule named Gandalf, and a snow owl named Uschi.

“I think my animals like to be photographed. Why? Because I am always outside with my camera and with my animals. So we get to walk together, have fun, go on adventures, have little breaks… We take some pictures and after the animals can play again as we keep going. I know my animals very well and I can see their state of mind. If I go out with just one of my animals, the other get antsy and want to be with us. We have lot of fun together.

“I’ve always loved animals, since I was a baby, unlike the rest of my family. When I was little, I found every sort of pet and then hid it for my parents. I love the beauty, power, loyalty, courage and friendship of animals. Many people could learn from them.”

One thing’s for sure, it’s hard not to smile looking at this super cute pics!