Do you have an amazing animal story?

When Jarod "The Animal Guy" stops by, he usually brings along creepy creatures that have Rachael running for cover. But this time, he's highlighting amazing animals that made headlines this year -- including the real-life dog from the hit movie Marley & Me.

Panda the Guide Horse

Ann Edie is legally blind, and uses a miniature guide horse to get around. "Panda" has been with working with her for five and a half years and has helped Ann around the neighborhood, at the mall and even on trains and airplanes. But some proposed rule changes to the Americans with Disabilities Act could mean that Panda will not be allowed to accompany Ann to public places. "It would be really hard for me at this point to imagine my life without Panda," she says. "She's a wonderful companion and a wonderful guide."

Jarod explains that some of the changes may have been sparked by the growing use of unconventional animals as guides, such a primates who are prone to aggression and can carry diseases that can be transferred to humans. "Maybe there could be more of an accreditation program," Jarod suggests, adding that instead of banning the use of unconventional animals altogether, there could be a case by case judgment. (For more information on the American With Disabilities act, visit ada.gov.)

Willie the Life-Saving Parrot

When 3-year-old Hannah started turning blue after choking on her breakfast, Willie the family parrot began flapping his wings and crying, "Mama baby! Mama baby!" Hannah's mother and babysitter rushed into the room and performed the Heimlich maneuver just in time. The smart bird has a vocabulary of 20 words, but Hannah's mom Samantha explains that it was the first time he used the word baby. "Thank God he did," she says, "because he saved my baby!"

The Four-Legged Star of "Marley & Me"

The stars of the $100 million-grossing film Marley & Me -- Jennifer Aniston and Owen Wilson -- are household names, but few know the rags-to-riches story of their canine co-star Rudy, who played Marley from ages 7-9. Susan, his owner, adopted the dog when he was just one day away from being put down. Five years later, she read an ad looking for a high-energy, older rescue dog to star in a movie. "[The casting director] came and looked at Rudy and said he was exactly what he was looking for," Susan says. "And the next day he was on his way to Hollywood!"

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