Symbolic & Helpful Animals
Animals are fantasy tools, often symbolizing powers or acting as helpers to their human counterparts
See also Animal Fantasy.
Birds
Fairy's Return by Gail Carson Levine — magic goose helps a baker's son win the heart of a princess
Light of the Oracle by Victoria Hanley — birds determine powers and priests & priestesses
Cats
Blue Sword by Robin McKinley — Harry is befriended by Narknon, a large wild cat
Terrier by Tamora Pierce — Beka Cooper is accompanied by Pounce
Dogs
Princess and the Hound by Mette Ivie Harrison — Princess Beatrice is inseparable from her hound Marit until the prince and the bear come between them
Horses
Other
Plague of Sorcerers by Mary Frances Zambreno — Jermyn's animal familiar is a skunk