From ancient legends to viral memes, pets have pawed their way into our hearts—and history. Let’s take a moment to celebrate the most iconic furry (and feathery!) stars on National Pet Day!
Pets aren’t just our cuddle buddies or mischief-makers—they’ve been sidekicks, heroes, and even legends. Whether they’ve ruled empires (well, sort of) or stolen scenes in movies, some pets have left paw prints way bigger than their actual size.
So, in honor of National Pet Day, let’s take a fun little stroll through history and pop culture to meet the most unforgettable pets. Grab your favorite snack (and maybe a treat for your own pet), and let’s dive in!
Long before Instagram-famous dogs, some pets were making waves in royal courts and scientific labs.
Before humans ventured into space, Laika, a stray Moscow dog, became the first living creature to orbit Earth in 1957 aboard Sputnik 2. Her journey paved the way for human spaceflight, making her one of the most heroic pups in history.
Alexander the Great wasn’t just a legendary conqueror—he also had a fiercely loyal dog named Peritas. Legend says this massive Molossian hound once saved Alexander’s life in battle by biting an enemy elephant’s lip (yes, really!). Talk about bravery with fur!
Move over, pirate parrots—Trim was the real nautical MVP. This adventurous black-and-white cat belonged to explorer Matthew Flinders and became the first feline to circumnavigate Australia in the early 1800s. He even has his own statue in Sydney!
Some pets didn’t just live in history—they became legends on screen and in books.
No list of famous pets is complete without Lassie, the Rough Collie who could solve any problem with a bark and a nudge. From rescuing Timmy from wells (yes, that really happened—a lot!) to starring in movies and TV for decades, Lassie set the gold standard for heroic pets.
Who hasn’t related to Garfield at some point? This orange tabby’s love for lasagna, hatred of Mondays, and endless sass made him a comic strip (and cartoon) legend. Plus, let’s be honest—we’ve all wanted to nap as much as he does.
Dorothy’s little Cairn Terrier, Toto, wasn’t just a sidekick—he was the heart of The Wizard of Oz. Fun fact: The role was played by a female dog named Terry, who earned more than some human actors at the time!
Thanks to the internet, pets today don’t need Hollywood to become icons—they just need one viral moment.
With her permanently unimpressed face, Grumpy Cat (Tardar Sauce) became the internet’s favorite grouch. Her grumpy expressions spawned countless memes, merchandise, and even a movie. Not bad for a cat who just… looked annoyed all the time.
This tiny Pomeranian, Boo, won hearts with his fluffy cloud-like appearance and sweet demeanor. With millions of Facebook followers and even a book deal, Boo proved that sometimes, all you need is absurd levels of cuteness.
Okay, this one’s technically about two cats, but their story is too good to skip. Jorts (an orange tabby) and Jean (a tortoiseshell) became internet famous after their human shared their hilarious (and very relatable) workplace antics—like Jorts constantly getting butter on himself. Pure comedy gold.
Whether they’re real-life heroes or fictional legends, famous pets remind us why we adore animals so much. They’re loyal, funny, brave, and sometimes just gloriously weird. And on National Pet Day, it’s the perfect time to give them a little extra love—whether they’re a historic icon or your own couch-surfing furball.
So, go ahead—give your pet an extra treat today. Who knows? Maybe they’ll be the next big star! Pets might not write history books, but they sure make history a whole lot more adorable.
