There may have been stories about birds too. For instance, eagles. Eagles in Ancient Iberian animal stories could have symbolized freedom and a connection to the heavens. They might have been seen as messengers from the gods in some of the more spiritual or mythological stories. Their ability to soar high in the sky would have made them objects of wonder and inspiration for storytellers.
One example could be stories about the Iberian lynx. In Ancient Iberian animal stories, the lynx might have been depicted as a symbol of stealth and wilderness. It could be shown as a creature that was both feared and respected for its hunting abilities.
Animals were represented in the context of the natural world and human interaction. Take the wolf, for example. In Ancient Iberian animal stories, the wolf could be a symbol of the wild, untamed nature. It might have been portrayed as a threat to livestock, which led to stories about how humans tried to protect their herds from the wolves. At the same time, the wolf's pack behavior could have been seen as a model of cooperation and loyalty within the animal kingdom, and stories might have explored this duality.
In some places, there are reports of farm animals being overcrowded in tiny spaces, not being given proper medical care when sick. For example, hens are stuffed into small cages where they can barely move, and this is a form of abuse. These kinds of situations are often part of the so - called abusive animal stories that highlight the mistreatment of animals.
There are also cases in the ocean. For example, when there are large-scale pollution events or overfishing in certain areas. Small fish populations decline rapidly. This then affects larger fish and marine mammals that depend on them for food. Dolphins might not be able to find enough small fish to eat. They can become emaciated and more vulnerable to diseases, and in extreme cases, starve to death.
There's also the story of Greyfriars Bobby. Bobby was a Skye Terrier. His owner, John Gray, passed away. Bobby then spent the next 14 years guarding his master's grave in Greyfriars Kirkyard in Edinburgh, Scotland. He would only leave briefly to get food. This is a remarkable display of loyalty by an animal.
One terrible animal story could be about the illegal poaching of elephants for their tusks. Hunters kill these majestic creatures just for ivory, leaving their bodies to rot in the wild. It's a sad and terrible situation as elephants are intelligent and social animals.
One gross animal story could be about vultures. They feed on carrion, which is the decaying flesh of dead animals. Their bald heads and the way they tear at rotting meat can be quite a gross sight. Another might be about certain parasites that live on or inside animals, like ticks that burrow into the skin of animals to suck blood.
There's the story of a dolphin that helped a lost fisherman find his way back to shore. The dolphin swam in front of the fisherman's boat for hours until they reached land. This shows the intelligence and kindness of dolphins.
One example could be the stories of animals in concentration camps. Some pets were brought by prisoners, and they often faced the same hardships, like starvation and mistreatment. Another might be about how animals were sometimes used in cruel experiments during that dark time.
One example could be the story of the 'Exorcist' dog. In some horror interpretations, a dog might exhibit strange and malevolent behavior as if possessed. Another is the werewolf stories where humans transform into wolf - like creatures which can be seen as a form of possession by an animalistic nature.
One awesome animal story is about the loyalty of dogs. There was a dog named Hachiko in Japan. Every day, he would wait at the train station for his owner to return from work. Even after his owner passed away, Hachiko continued to wait at the station for years, becoming a symbol of loyalty.