Everyone seems to think that their pet is the superior pet, the pet above all the rest. And while that may be true, it is undeniable that some pets have made it further into the public eye than others. From the famous pets of Hollywood to the social media stars, we here at Pet Ponder are about to break down some of the most iconic furry and feathered friends.
Grumpy Cat
What would any list of iconic pets be without Grumpy Cat at number one. This internet celebrity of a kitty was famous for her perpetually “grumpy” looking face. Grumpy Cat’s popularity has grown so much since she was first discovered in 2012 that she has her very own website. It’s even complete with merch and other various media.
Sadly, Grumpy Cat passed away in the arms of her owners in 2019. Her memory continues to put a smile on the faces of strangers across the globe.
Flo the Chimp
Although not technically a pet, Flo the chimpanzee was one of the most iconic animals of her time. Famously observed in the wild for years by primatologist Jane Goodall, Flo was a devoted mother and strong leader among her group. It is thanks to Flo and her family that many breakthrough observations about chimps in the wild were made by Goodall during her early years at The Gombe Stream.
Hamlet the Pig
With nearly 400,000 followers on Instagram, Hamlet the Pig is undeniably a sensation on social media. Originally a therapy pig from Texas, Hamlet entertains her followers with videos of her dressed in silly costumes as she bonds with her owners. That said, Hamlet serves a larger purpose than simple Instagram videos. She is also trained to detect seizures in her human. This, of course, in addition to bringing joy to her many followers.
Juniper Fox
Juniper Fox is part of a family of two other foxes called Fig and Elmwood.
“They were each born in captivity and are descended from fur-farm foxes,” according to JuniperFoxx.com.
Although Juniper’s home-bred genetic makeup means she can’t be released into the wild, she’s made a pretty good life for herself at home. Some of her other siblings include an opossum, snake, dog and more.
The Parrot of President Andrew Jackson
Famous for his skills in battle and successful time as president, Andrew Jackson had a few other tricks up his sleeve. One of those tricks just so happened to be his pet parrot, Poll.
According to History Extra, Jackson was a quiet and religious man in his old age. That’s why it was such a shock when, as the story goes, his little grey parrot began spouting off curse words during the former president’s funeral. So much for that quiet reputation!
While the list of famous pets goes on, it’s clear that animals play an important part in all of our lives. Be it a pet of our own or a newfound Instagram obsession, pets do it all. They entertain, they nurture, and best of all, they keep us smiling.
