6 Remarkable Pets in History
While the internet era has propelled animal fame to unprecedented levels, several remarkable pets attained celebrity status long before the days of Grumpy Cat, Lil Bub, and Boo. Impressively, one of the animals on this list hails from as far back as the first century.
Babou the Ocelot
In the mid-20th century, the attempted domestication of ocelots — a breed of wild cat that isn’t recommended as a pet — wasn’t unheard of. One of the most famous pet ocelots of the era was Babou, the animal companion of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. The feline followed him everywhere, even famously accompanying Dalí to one of his art exhibitions in a bejewelled collar.
Understandably, Babou was not always a welcome guest. When Dalí once took him to an art gallery in Paris, the owner angrily told Dalí that Babou had “made a nuisance” on his 17th-century engravings. The artist reportedly responded, “A nuisance of Dalí’s … can only increase their value.”
On another occasion, Dalí tied Babou’s leash to a table at a Manhattan restaurant. When another diner expressed her alarm, Dalí assured her the animal was just a normal cat he’d “painted over in an op-art design.” By 1970, Dalí had acquired a second ocelot named Bouba, although she didn’t achieve quite the same level of notoriety.
Mafia Honey the Dog
This adorable little Maltese dog became famous through his connections with two major celebrities. Gifted to Marilyn Monroe by Frank Sinatra in 1960 to comfort her after her split from playwright Arthur Miller, the dog was cheekily named 'Maf,' short for Sinatra's alleged mob ties. Maf was Monroe's close companion for the final two years of her life, even sleeping on a fur coat that Miller had given her. After Monroe's death in 1962, Maf was cared for by Frank Sinatra's secretary, Gloria Lovell, until his own death in 1974. Maf's fame persisted, with two Polaroids of him fetching over $220,000 in 1999.
Incitatus the Horse
The most famous pet of the ancient world was said to be Incitatus, a horse owned by Caligula, the third emperor of Rome. According to one myth, Caligula loved his horse so much, he even appointed the animal to consul.
Although this likely never happened, it certainly contributed to the horse’s legendary status. Even if Incitatus (whose name means “swift” or “at full gallop”) never held a human position, he still enjoyed a pretty lavish life. According to historians, he resided in a marble stable with an ivory manger and wore a collar made of precious stones.
Babou the Ocelot
In the mid-20th century, the attempted domestication of ocelots — a breed of wild cat that isn’t recommended as a pet — wasn’t unheard of. One of the most famous pet ocelots of the era was Babou, the animal companion of surrealist artist Salvador Dalí. The feline followed him everywhere, even famously accompanying Dalí to one of his art exhibitions in a bejewelled collar.
Understandably, Babou was not always a welcome guest. When Dalí once took him to an art gallery in Paris, the owner angrily told Dalí that Babou had “made a nuisance” on his 17th-century engravings. The artist reportedly responded, “A nuisance of Dalí’s … can only increase their value.”
On another occasion, Dalí tied Babou’s leash to a table at a Manhattan restaurant. When another diner expressed her alarm, Dalí assured her the animal was just a normal cat he’d “painted over in an op-art design.” By 1970, Dalí had acquired a second ocelot named Bouba, although she didn’t achieve quite the same level of notoriety.
Mafia Honey the Dog
This adorable little Maltese dog became famous through his connections with two major celebrities. Gifted to Marilyn Monroe by Frank Sinatra in 1960 to comfort her after her split from playwright Arthur Miller, the dog was cheekily named 'Maf,' short for Sinatra's alleged mob ties. Maf was Monroe's close companion for the final two years of her life, even sleeping on a fur coat that Miller had given her. After Monroe's death in 1962, Maf was cared for by Frank Sinatra's secretary, Gloria Lovell, until his own death in 1974. Maf's fame persisted, with two Polaroids of him fetching over $220,000 in 1999.
Incitatus the Horse
The most famous pet of the ancient world was said to be Incitatus, a horse owned by Caligula, the third emperor of Rome. According to one myth, Caligula loved his horse so much, he even appointed the animal to consul.
Although this likely never happened, it certainly contributed to the horse’s legendary status. Even if Incitatus (whose name means “swift” or “at full gallop”) never held a human position, he still enjoyed a pretty lavish life. According to historians, he resided in a marble stable with an ivory manger and wore a collar made of precious stones.
Scatter the Chimpanzee
Elvis Presley's Graceland was home to a lively assortment of animals, including several horses, donkeys housed in an empty swimming pool, and a Myna bird that imitated excuses for why Presley couldn't come to the phone. However, his most notorious pet was Scatter, a mischievous chimpanzee who wore human clothes and stirred up plenty of trouble. Scatter had a taste for alcohol and a habit of peeking under women's skirts, he wrecked the office of legendary movie producer Samuel Goldwyn, and often ran off to break into neighbours’ houses. Despite these antics, years after Scatter's death, Elvis fondly recalled him as 'one of the best buddies [he] had around.’
King Charles the Horse
The 1944 film National Velvet, which told the story of a young girl who believes in and trains a difficult horse, propelled then-12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor to stardom. Her equine co-star, the racehorse King Charles, was already famous in his own right before hitting the big screen: He was related to two of the most famous racehorses of all time, Man o’ War and Seabiscuit. Taylor, having bonded with the horse over the course of the production, repeatedly asked to keep him as her pet. The film’s producer, Louis B. Mayer, eventually granted the young actress’s request for her 13th birthday.
Unsinkable Sam the Cat
Unlike the other animals on this list, this cat's fame isn't tied to his owner. Legend has it that a cat named Oscar, later known as 'Unsinkable Sam,' was among the few survivors of the 1941 sinking of the German battleship Bismarck. Rescued by the British destroyer HMS Cossack, Oscar survived again when his new ship was torpedoed exactly five months later. After this second disaster, the fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate) cat spent less than a month aboard the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal before it too met the same fate as the Cossack. Miraculously, Oscar survived yet again. He then retired to a home in Belfast, where he lived until his death in 1955. A portrait of 'Unsinkable Sam' now hangs in London's National Maritime Museum.
Elvis Presley's Graceland was home to a lively assortment of animals, including several horses, donkeys housed in an empty swimming pool, and a Myna bird that imitated excuses for why Presley couldn't come to the phone. However, his most notorious pet was Scatter, a mischievous chimpanzee who wore human clothes and stirred up plenty of trouble. Scatter had a taste for alcohol and a habit of peeking under women's skirts, he wrecked the office of legendary movie producer Samuel Goldwyn, and often ran off to break into neighbours’ houses. Despite these antics, years after Scatter's death, Elvis fondly recalled him as 'one of the best buddies [he] had around.’
King Charles the Horse
The 1944 film National Velvet, which told the story of a young girl who believes in and trains a difficult horse, propelled then-12-year-old Elizabeth Taylor to stardom. Her equine co-star, the racehorse King Charles, was already famous in his own right before hitting the big screen: He was related to two of the most famous racehorses of all time, Man o’ War and Seabiscuit. Taylor, having bonded with the horse over the course of the production, repeatedly asked to keep him as her pet. The film’s producer, Louis B. Mayer, eventually granted the young actress’s request for her 13th birthday.
Unsinkable Sam the Cat
Unlike the other animals on this list, this cat's fame isn't tied to his owner. Legend has it that a cat named Oscar, later known as 'Unsinkable Sam,' was among the few survivors of the 1941 sinking of the German battleship Bismarck. Rescued by the British destroyer HMS Cossack, Oscar survived again when his new ship was torpedoed exactly five months later. After this second disaster, the fortunate (or perhaps unfortunate) cat spent less than a month aboard the British aircraft carrier Ark Royal before it too met the same fate as the Cossack. Miraculously, Oscar survived yet again. He then retired to a home in Belfast, where he lived until his death in 1955. A portrait of 'Unsinkable Sam' now hangs in London's National Maritime Museum.
