Loyal Animal Companion

Una and the lion, from Spenser's Faerie Queen

"You were never masters, but friends. I was your friend.
I loved you well, and was loved. Deep love endures
To the end and far past the end. If this is my end,
I am not lonely. I am not afraid. I am still yours."

— Robinson Jeffers, "The House Dog's Grave"

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Ah, the loyal, lovable, non-human friend. For whatever reason these dutiful companions will follow their (usually) human master just about anywhere. Sometimes it be magic, other times merely loyalty. In any event, everybody loves pets that know how to kick ass. Subtrope of Interspecies Friendship.

This trope is so common that it's seldom used in a purely straight manner. Usually it subdivides into one of the following tropes:

• Action Pet
• All Animals Are Domesticated
  • All Animals Are Dogs
• Androcles' Lion
• Bond Creatures
• A Boy and His X
• Canine Companion
• Cool Horse
• Cool Pet
• Empathy Pet
• Familiar
• Homeless Pigeon Person (mostly the pigeons)
• Mentor Mascot
• Mon
• Non-Human Sidekick
• Right-Hand Cat
• Parrot Pet Position (these get a special seat)
• Pirate Parrot
• Shoulder-Sized Dragon (there's a reason they are conveniently shoulder-sized)
• Unusual Pets for Unusual People

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• Weasel Mascot

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