Prepare to paw-se for a moment and take a “hiss-torical” journey with our Pets in History section. Forget Cleopatra and Napoleon; we’re digging up the real power players, like the royal dogs that actually ran the palace or the cats that may have out-schemed Machiavelli. From ancient Egyptian felines worshipped as gods to World War II hero pups, we’re shining a light (or should we say, a laser pointer?) on the unsung fur-heroes who’ve shaped the world as we know it. Dive into “tails” of political intrigue, romance, and yes, the occasional dumpster dive, all featuring the four-legged companions who were the real MVPs—Most Valuable Pets. It’s the history lesson you wish you had in school, minus the snooze factor. Get ready for a wag-nificent time-travel experience!
Pets in History
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The Story of Greyfriars Bobby, the dog that stayed by his owner’s grave for 14 years
Image via Wikimedia / Public Domain Born in 1855, Bobby, better known as Greyfriars Bobby, was a very very good boy and a Skye terrier (With recent news suggesting he was actually a Dandie Dinmont terrier). His story starts with a gardener named John gray and his family moving to the city of Edinburgh in Scotland. Gray couldn’t find work as a gardener and ended up working as a night watchman.
The Story of Mike, The Bartending Dog
Mike, a sheep dog-terrier mix, whose bartending skills made him a legend that’s still remembered after 80 years! He worked at the tavern at the Bowser Hotel on Vancouver Island in the late 1930s/early 1940s. (Via Vancouver Archives) And what we want to make clear is Mike was a LEGIT bartender, not just some dog who hung out at the bar getting free treats and pets. On command, Mike would deliver a bottle of beer to a table and place it upright.
The Inspiring Story of Peabody – The World’s Smallest Miniature Horse
Born on May 7, 2021, and growing to only 16.5 inches tall and 19 pounds, Peabody was the world’s smallest horse. He had a rough start to life, born with dwarfism, misshapen legs and jaw, along with being completely deaf. He was so short he wasn’t able to reach up to drink milk from his mother.
Great Dane Named The Tallest Live Male Dog By Guinness World Records
Just last month TobyKeith was named the oldest living dog in the world. This month, Zeus, a Great Dane, takes the title of “the tallest live male dog” by the Guinness World Records. ” Zeus has absolutely changed our family,” Brittany Davis told Guinness World Records about Zeus, who is 3 feet and 5.18 inches tall standing on all four paws.
TobyKeith – The Oldest Living Dog in the World by Guinness World Records
TobyKeith has been officially titled the oldest living dog in the world according to the Guinness World Records. He is a small Chihuahua from Greenacres, Florida at the age of 21. Guinness World Records verified and confirmed TobyKeith’s title on March 16, when the dog was 21 years and 66 days old.
World’s tallest cat and cat with world’s longest tail also happen to be roommates
Two spectacular feline roommates have recently set two separate Guinness World Records. Cygnus Regulus, a silver Maine Coon has the new record for “Longest Tail on a domestic cat (living)”. His tail measures in at 17.58 inches (44.66cm).
The story of Lulu the pig, who “played dead” to save owner’s life
This is the story of a heroic pot-bellied pig named Lulu who became a media sensation in the late 1990s.
Meet Freddy, the World’s Tallest Dog at over 7 feet, 6 inches
In 2012, Claire Stoneman picked up a great dane pup that was the runt of the litter. Little did she know, he would end up being in the Guinness Book of World Records as the world’s tallest dog at 7’6” standing upright. Credit: @freddygreatdane IG Tipping the scales at over 200 pounds, Freddy towers over his 5’4” human.
Diver Hiroyuki Arakawa and his BFF (Best Fish Friend) Yoriko have been meeting up for 25 years
We all know long distance relationships can be hard, but that hasn’t stopped the ocean from getting in between human diver Hiroyuki Arakawa and Asian sheepshead wrasse Yoriko. Arakawa runs a local dive shop and has been trusted to look after a Shinto religion shrines, which happens to be under the water in Japan’s Tateyama Bay. Over the years, he’s gotten to know the aquatic neighbors quite well, but his friendship with Yoriko is a special one.
Gunther IV the richest animal in the world
Gunther IV leads a lavish lifestyle paid for by his staggering fortune of $400 million. He takes limousines in between his many Italian properties, attends auctions where he acquires rare items (anyone fancy a $1.1 million rare white truffle?), and dines on steak and caviar. He’s a German Shepherd born into royalty as the last heir to German countess and multi-millionaire Karlotta Liebenstein, with Maurizio Mian his official caretaker.