I sat in the vet’s waiting room this morning with my dog shivering in my lap. He’s in for a minor procedure, but when I handed him over to the nurse he looked at me like I suppose Caesar must have looked at Brutus.
He’s fine - don’t worry.
The trip to the vet got me thinking. Who (or what) is the most famous animal in history? Is it the wolf that suckled Romulus and Remus? Dick Whittington’s cat? Napoleon’s horse, Marengo, captured after his master fled Waterloo? Or maybe it’s a purely fictional creature like Renard the Fox (on whom I am going to do a full subscriber-only article in the next couple of weeks).
What do you think? As usual, I’ll round up the best answers on the podcast on Friday.
I nominate, Mary, Exeter’s famous heroic war pigeon. She was trained by Exeter resident, Cecil Brewer and helped deliver top secret messages during the Second World War. She is honoured with her own English Heritage blue plaque (revealed in Exeter in 2018).
Good question- Mary was awarded the Dickin Medal (the 'animal's' Victoria Cross) for gallantry after her war service. She made four flights to occupied France, and was injured each time- by both pellets, and hawks trained to attack carrier pigeons. Her neck injuries from her final trip required her to wear a leather collar to live comfortably. It was fashioned by her owner, and she lived (presumably) happily, for an additional five years. There were 53 other recipients of the Dickin Medal between 1943-1949 (including 32 pigeons). She is buried in the Ilford Animal Cemetery, in London, and there is a plaque in Mary's honor at Exeter's Northernhay Gardens (unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Exeter in 2003).
Copied from DevonLive article, 20, Jan 2018 " To commemorate the partnership of the heroic animal and its owner, Exeter Civic Society unveiled the blue plaque at 6 West Street - Charlie’s home and shoemaker’s shop for 63 years.
It is the civic society’s first blue plaque to commemorate a heroic animal and its owner.
The animals that Dan mentioned are certainly noteworthy, but their fame is more a reflection of the person associated with them (Romulus and Remus, Napoleon, or Dick Whittington). How about an animal famous in its own right: the great horse Secretariat. He was the most dominant horse of his time and he still holds the record times in each of the Triple Crown races. Even people who aren’t racing fans know his name, even if no other horses.
As an alternative, I would propose Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, who allegedly started what became the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The story is likely apocryphal, but the fire did start in the O’Leary barn. It cause over $200 million in damages (in 1871 dollars).
I love the Secretariat angle, what about the Byerley Turk? The earliest of the three founding fathers of the Thoroughbred horse (along with The Godolphin Barb and The darley Arabian)
There is a suggestion that he was captured at the Battle of Buda (may also have been Vienna?) and then became Captain Byerley's charger in King William's wars in Ireland. He was then bred to local English mares and a new breed began to evolve.
Every single thoroughbred on Earth can trace its heritage to him (and the other aforementioned duo) including Secretariat.
Not sure about the parentage of Mrs. O'Leary's Cow.
I was completely unaware of that heritage. I knew that thoroughbreds were descended from Arabian horses, but didn’t realize there was such a rich history there. Thanks for the insights. (Also, I think we can safely assume that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow had very pedestrian parentage in comparison.)
How about Greyfriars Bobby? It's a lovely story, set in one of the best cities, he has his own statue and it's his birthday today! Happy Star Wars day birthday Bob
Hannibal’s elephants or at least the three that made it across the Alps. By all accounts though, they were dangerous to both sides in a battle. Understandable when you’ve been hit with a few spears, etc. Didn’t matter if you were friend or foe, if you got in their way you would be flattened.
I noticed that only one other person seems to have mentioned him, so I will add him as well - Balto. Without him countless children would have died and his run is now the Iditarod (although animal cruelty people would see it shut down) But I would also have to say the Godolphin Arabian. He was one of the three stallions that laid the foundation for the modern Thoroughbred. Seabiscuit, Man O War and War Admiral can all trace back to him.
I'm going to have to put a vote in for Grendel, our good friend Beowulf's nemesis, I'm always biased towards anything related to Anglo-Saxon history, but I gotta say, maybe it's deserved this time?
I too will go for Alexander the Great's Bucephalus, although The Noble Incitatus, the horse that Caligula made a Senator and almost made a Consul must be up there too.
It seems that all of the animals listed by you above are fictional. So, my nomination would be the Easter Bunny but I agree with Alison that it might be Mickey Mouse. I'm not sure which would win between Mickey and the Big Hare. For pure historical value though, I would say the dragon is the most famous animal given its prevalance in iconography of multiple cultures around the world and perhaps the unicorn. Finally, for a real animal that once lived what about the T-Rex?
After a bit more reflection, I’m changing my answer. I’m going with the rats and fleas (who shall remain nameless)😂that were responsible for spreading ye olde Y. pestis throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Although technically I guess they would be referred to as rodents and vermin respectively and not animals. 💁♀️
Wojtek the Syrian Bear in WW2 and his carrying of armaments at the Battle of Monte Casino etc or maybe Hannibal and the elephants that crossed the Alps?
Black Beauty is surely one of the most famous animals of all time, despite being fictional. The Lone Ranger's horse Silver and Champion the Wonder horse. (Can you see a theme...) Bucephalus. the 4 bronze statues of horses in Venice.
Do mythological creatures count and I dont mean Harry Potters/ J K Rowling copied kind but the legend of the horse of Troy or the Hydra, the harpies and Medusa or the Griffin, the Minotaur, the Kraken and greek mythological beasts- stories that inspired so many other stories and fables down through time? Watching Jason and the Argonauts at Easter I'm in my 40s now and have seen many blockbusters but the thrill of Harry Hausens monsters come to life in modelling clay still enthralls me every time of the grecian legends and all the fabulous gods names and makes me want to read the entire great tomes of Greek and Roman myths and heros.
I have to vote for Bucephalus, as I wrote a paper on him while at University! He was Alexander the Great’s horse. He was a black stallion and his name means oxhead, after the shape of the branding mark on his haunch. Alexander supposedly tamed the horse when nobody else could, etc. When Bucephalus died, Alexander founded a city in his honour!
I think that Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog, Fala, was probably the most famous dog of his era. He travelled everywhere with FDR, even to official conferences in Canada and Alaska. Fala was well loved by the White House staff, and was so popular in the U. S. that he received thousands of letters from fans.
World wide fame and not niche market it has to be Micky Mouse. Regardless of your religious or historical slant the 'mouse ears' are known everywhere.. The snake in the garden of Eden is known by 3 religions, so has to be up there too. With these religions being a major power worldwide with mass followings, it will push down the list any other religious icons. Snakes too are often used in films to epitome evil/cunning. I'm thinking Disneys King Richard here or just the plain old extra in a jungle scene for fear to the hero. The she wolf, Hannibals elephants, Napoleon's horse, Seabiscuit etc are known to a few in comparison.
On asking my 12 year old, name me a famous animal; Micky mouse was the answer. Same question to Husband; has to be the snake from the Garden of Eden...
I rest my case. No niche market ideas, just good old popular animals.. Hubby then followed up with: Simba...
If we are talking (possibly a fictitious animal) it has to be the dragon. From Saints slaying them to the Chinese art and viking ships, I know of no other animal with world wide fame.
I think Fenrir, the Norse wolf, is the most famous pet, the monstrous child of Loki who killed Odin at Ragnarok. I’m not too sure who’s pet he is but I would sure love a giant wolf god!
Non-fictional: any number of first pets from Socks the cat (Clinton), Commander the German Shepherd (Biden), to Emily Spinach the snake (Teddy Roosevelt's family had many unusual pets including a badger as well)
For my dog-loving family it’s Sergeant Stubby the Boston terrier American hero dog from World War 1 fame. I believe he’s displayed in the Smithsonian now for his achievements. 🥺
If you're going to mention Napoleon's horse, how about Wellington's - Copenhagen? I read somewhere that he took special delight in nipping and kicking the rank and file.
Does a reptile count? My first thought is the Snake in the tree of knowledge. If we are talking more contemporary since there are so many folk on our planet now, I’d lay a bet on Lassie or Silver being recognisable as actual animals rather than animations or imaginary animals.
Fun fact on the Capitoline she-wolf: The guy you would not want your daughter to marry, Benito Mussolini sent a replica to the little city of Rome, Georgia in 1929, complete with his facist logo. Very proud, this little town was/is, to have such a piece bring notoriety. As the story goes, the same day my father's boy's school played the local boys in an apparently spirited football contest, the wolf vanished. Richmond Academy could been the only culprit, it seems, but they never fessed up. Apparently at the time it was fashionable to walk four-legged animals up to government headquarter's attics. How and who regarding the statue's found location is still a mystery...but the city got it back...complete with Il Duce's branding. Ah, those were the days...
Winnie-the-Pooh aka Winnipeg Bear whom A.A. Milne conferred immortal fame upon, arrived in England from Canada as Mascot to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. He was loaned to the London Zoo; there Christopher Robin and dad A. A. Milne often visited and the rest is history…
The snake in the Garden of Eden
Sadly, I'm afraid I'd have to say Mickey Mouse. Followed by Snoopy.
I nominate, Mary, Exeter’s famous heroic war pigeon. She was trained by Exeter resident, Cecil Brewer and helped deliver top secret messages during the Second World War. She is honoured with her own English Heritage blue plaque (revealed in Exeter in 2018).
She was one fine bird.
This is amazing, do you know if Mary is alone in being an animal with a plaque?
Good question- Mary was awarded the Dickin Medal (the 'animal's' Victoria Cross) for gallantry after her war service. She made four flights to occupied France, and was injured each time- by both pellets, and hawks trained to attack carrier pigeons. Her neck injuries from her final trip required her to wear a leather collar to live comfortably. It was fashioned by her owner, and she lived (presumably) happily, for an additional five years. There were 53 other recipients of the Dickin Medal between 1943-1949 (including 32 pigeons). She is buried in the Ilford Animal Cemetery, in London, and there is a plaque in Mary's honor at Exeter's Northernhay Gardens (unveiled by the Lord Mayor of Exeter in 2003).
Copied from DevonLive article, 20, Jan 2018 " To commemorate the partnership of the heroic animal and its owner, Exeter Civic Society unveiled the blue plaque at 6 West Street - Charlie’s home and shoemaker’s shop for 63 years.
It is the civic society’s first blue plaque to commemorate a heroic animal and its owner.
The animals that Dan mentioned are certainly noteworthy, but their fame is more a reflection of the person associated with them (Romulus and Remus, Napoleon, or Dick Whittington). How about an animal famous in its own right: the great horse Secretariat. He was the most dominant horse of his time and he still holds the record times in each of the Triple Crown races. Even people who aren’t racing fans know his name, even if no other horses.
As an alternative, I would propose Mrs. O’Leary’s cow, who allegedly started what became the Great Chicago Fire of 1871. The story is likely apocryphal, but the fire did start in the O’Leary barn. It cause over $200 million in damages (in 1871 dollars).
I love the Secretariat angle, what about the Byerley Turk? The earliest of the three founding fathers of the Thoroughbred horse (along with The Godolphin Barb and The darley Arabian)
There is a suggestion that he was captured at the Battle of Buda (may also have been Vienna?) and then became Captain Byerley's charger in King William's wars in Ireland. He was then bred to local English mares and a new breed began to evolve.
Every single thoroughbred on Earth can trace its heritage to him (and the other aforementioned duo) including Secretariat.
Not sure about the parentage of Mrs. O'Leary's Cow.
I was completely unaware of that heritage. I knew that thoroughbreds were descended from Arabian horses, but didn’t realize there was such a rich history there. Thanks for the insights. (Also, I think we can safely assume that Mrs. O’Leary’s cow had very pedestrian parentage in comparison.)
How about Greyfriars Bobby? It's a lovely story, set in one of the best cities, he has his own statue and it's his birthday today! Happy Star Wars day birthday Bob
Just the best little Skye Terrier that ever lived! ♥️🐾
Yes, I second this one.. I wonder how many other animals are a must see on a city tour.
Hannibal’s elephants or at least the three that made it across the Alps. By all accounts though, they were dangerous to both sides in a battle. Understandable when you’ve been hit with a few spears, etc. Didn’t matter if you were friend or foe, if you got in their way you would be flattened.
The Trojan horse
Ooh good one! Again not niche and known to all, even if as a computing terminology!
I noticed that only one other person seems to have mentioned him, so I will add him as well - Balto. Without him countless children would have died and his run is now the Iditarod (although animal cruelty people would see it shut down) But I would also have to say the Godolphin Arabian. He was one of the three stallions that laid the foundation for the modern Thoroughbred. Seabiscuit, Man O War and War Admiral can all trace back to him.
Thank you! I was hoping Baltic would make the cut!
I'm going to have to put a vote in for Grendel, our good friend Beowulf's nemesis, I'm always biased towards anything related to Anglo-Saxon history, but I gotta say, maybe it's deserved this time?
Snoop Dog
I too will go for Alexander the Great's Bucephalus, although The Noble Incitatus, the horse that Caligula made a Senator and almost made a Consul must be up there too.
Dear Dan,
It seems that all of the animals listed by you above are fictional. So, my nomination would be the Easter Bunny but I agree with Alison that it might be Mickey Mouse. I'm not sure which would win between Mickey and the Big Hare. For pure historical value though, I would say the dragon is the most famous animal given its prevalance in iconography of multiple cultures around the world and perhaps the unicorn. Finally, for a real animal that once lived what about the T-Rex?
Shane, you read my mind! Also thought about the T-Rex and dragons!
If we’re talking cartoon creatures, I understand Donald Duck has attained near-heroic status in Germany, though maybe a few years back.
Does the Welsh dragon count as famous? I suppose it's not an actual animal though....
Cleopatra’s snake
Bucephalus is who came straight to my mind as well.
If I'm thinking fictional then Garfield the cat is always good for a laugh
After a bit more reflection, I’m changing my answer. I’m going with the rats and fleas (who shall remain nameless)😂that were responsible for spreading ye olde Y. pestis throughout Europe, North Africa, and Asia. Although technically I guess they would be referred to as rodents and vermin respectively and not animals. 💁♀️
Wojtek the Syrian Bear in WW2 and his carrying of armaments at the Battle of Monte Casino etc or maybe Hannibal and the elephants that crossed the Alps?
Honorable mention for Athena’s owl
My history group says you because you’re so wild & untamed. They’re a lot of fun 🙌
Black Beauty is surely one of the most famous animals of all time, despite being fictional. The Lone Ranger's horse Silver and Champion the Wonder horse. (Can you see a theme...) Bucephalus. the 4 bronze statues of horses in Venice.
Do mythological creatures count and I dont mean Harry Potters/ J K Rowling copied kind but the legend of the horse of Troy or the Hydra, the harpies and Medusa or the Griffin, the Minotaur, the Kraken and greek mythological beasts- stories that inspired so many other stories and fables down through time? Watching Jason and the Argonauts at Easter I'm in my 40s now and have seen many blockbusters but the thrill of Harry Hausens monsters come to life in modelling clay still enthralls me every time of the grecian legends and all the fabulous gods names and makes me want to read the entire great tomes of Greek and Roman myths and heros.
The ranking at home:
1. Laika, the space dog.
2. Incitatus, Caligula's horse.
3. Cheetah, Tarzan's chimpanzee
4. Cute fictional: Pink Panther, Dumbo, Bambi, and Miss Piggy.
... and my younger daughter said dinosaurs.
Eagle with a snake in its mouth sitting on a cactus on an island in the middle of a lake. Done.
I have to vote for Bucephalus, as I wrote a paper on him while at University! He was Alexander the Great’s horse. He was a black stallion and his name means oxhead, after the shape of the branding mark on his haunch. Alexander supposedly tamed the horse when nobody else could, etc. When Bucephalus died, Alexander founded a city in his honour!
K9.
Cher Ami, Balto, Dolly the Sheep, Incitatus, Grumpy Cat ...
2
The dog that crawled from out of the dress of Mary Queen of Scots after her beheading.
I think that Pres. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s dog, Fala, was probably the most famous dog of his era. He travelled everywhere with FDR, even to official conferences in Canada and Alaska. Fala was well loved by the White House staff, and was so popular in the U. S. that he received thousands of letters from fans.
World wide fame and not niche market it has to be Micky Mouse. Regardless of your religious or historical slant the 'mouse ears' are known everywhere.. The snake in the garden of Eden is known by 3 religions, so has to be up there too. With these religions being a major power worldwide with mass followings, it will push down the list any other religious icons. Snakes too are often used in films to epitome evil/cunning. I'm thinking Disneys King Richard here or just the plain old extra in a jungle scene for fear to the hero. The she wolf, Hannibals elephants, Napoleon's horse, Seabiscuit etc are known to a few in comparison.
On asking my 12 year old, name me a famous animal; Micky mouse was the answer. Same question to Husband; has to be the snake from the Garden of Eden...
I rest my case. No niche market ideas, just good old popular animals.. Hubby then followed up with: Simba...
No unicorns? They're all over healdry.
I'm going with Balto. He's definitely a hero.
If we are talking (possibly a fictitious animal) it has to be the dragon. From Saints slaying them to the Chinese art and viking ships, I know of no other animal with world wide fame.
I think Fenrir, the Norse wolf, is the most famous pet, the monstrous child of Loki who killed Odin at Ragnarok. I’m not too sure who’s pet he is but I would sure love a giant wolf god!
Greyfriar's bobby
Red Rum
The cast of Disney's Robin Hood
Baloo the bear
Laika the dog
Eddie the Eagle
Cher Ami
Pickles the dog
Fictional: Mickey Mouse
Non-fictional: any number of first pets from Socks the cat (Clinton), Commander the German Shepherd (Biden), to Emily Spinach the snake (Teddy Roosevelt's family had many unusual pets including a badger as well)
Rudolph the red-nosed reindeer?
About time!
It's got to be the dove from Noah's Ark
My first thought was Balto. However, plague rats made quite a reputation for themselves. If you’re a monty python fan, there’s the swallows.
Or Monty! (I know. I know.)
The Tower Ravens? According to Charles II, the Tower and kingdom would fall without them.
Mythical creatures have got to be up there. The dragon st George slayed , the Minotaur and Medusa to name a few.
For my dog-loving family it’s Sergeant Stubby the Boston terrier American hero dog from World War 1 fame. I believe he’s displayed in the Smithsonian now for his achievements. 🥺
If you're going to mention Napoleon's horse, how about Wellington's - Copenhagen? I read somewhere that he took special delight in nipping and kicking the rank and file.
Babieca, El Cid’s War Horse.
Most famous I absolutely can’t decide. But the first animal that popped into my head was Hugh of Lincoln’s goose.
Captain Myles Keogh's horse, Comanche, was one of the many sole survivors of the Battle of the Little Big Horn.
Laika the Russian space dog, Dolly the sheep, Scrooge McDuck. And why not, Woodstock, Snoopy's faithful companion!
Does a reptile count? My first thought is the Snake in the tree of knowledge. If we are talking more contemporary since there are so many folk on our planet now, I’d lay a bet on Lassie or Silver being recognisable as actual animals rather than animations or imaginary animals.
Fun fact on the Capitoline she-wolf: The guy you would not want your daughter to marry, Benito Mussolini sent a replica to the little city of Rome, Georgia in 1929, complete with his facist logo. Very proud, this little town was/is, to have such a piece bring notoriety. As the story goes, the same day my father's boy's school played the local boys in an apparently spirited football contest, the wolf vanished. Richmond Academy could been the only culprit, it seems, but they never fessed up. Apparently at the time it was fashionable to walk four-legged animals up to government headquarter's attics. How and who regarding the statue's found location is still a mystery...but the city got it back...complete with Il Duce's branding. Ah, those were the days...
Winnie-the-Pooh aka Winnipeg Bear whom A.A. Milne conferred immortal fame upon, arrived in England from Canada as Mascot to the 2nd Canadian Infantry Brigade. He was loaned to the London Zoo; there Christopher Robin and dad A. A. Milne often visited and the rest is history…
Bucephalus - Alexander's horse?