Heads of state, like ordinary citizens, need four-legged friends and pets. Their cats and dogs are renowned throughout the world. Presidential and royal pets receive special care and attention. Who are these lucky four-legged friends?
Elizabeth II's Cats
Queen Elizabeth II of Great Britain is a great lover of dogs and cats. Her Majesty has several cats in her service. Here are the most famous:
Larry
Larry has held the position of Chief Mouser. He has lived at the Government House since 2011. Before that, he lived in a shelter. Larry performs his duties with excellence. Even after David Cameron resigned, the cat remained on duty. Larry was not upset by the change in leadership, as he dislikes men. He made an exception only for Barack Obama, for whom he developed a liking, even to the Prime Minister's jealousy.
Larry has a Twitter account where he discusses the situation in the UK and engages in disputes with fellow royal cat Palmerston.
Palmerston
For a long time, Larry the Gentleman Cat was the one and only. But in 2016, a cat named Palmerston was adopted into royal service. He was assigned to the Foreign Office. Prior to this, the future royal employee had been kept in a shelter, having been rescued from the streets, skinny and hungry. Before handing him over to the Foreign Office, Battersea Animal Shelter, in accordance with its instructions, thoroughly inspected the cat's future home.
Gladstone
The third cat to join the civil service was rescued from the streets as a kitten. He catches mice at the Ministry of Finance. Gladstone uses his social media accounts to find loving homes for homeless animals.
Lawrence Abdoun
In 2017, a new employee cat arrived. Adopted from a shelter, Lawrence Abdoun completed his probationary period and was sent to Jordan. He became the first cat diplomat. Lawrence Abdoun rids the embassy of mice and rats.
All cats receive a salary. The royal cats are fed only every other day to maintain their interest in mice. But they enjoy the limelight and universal affection. To ensure their recognition, the royal cats wear a yellow bow around their necks.
Putin's dogs
The President of the Russian Federation has repeatedly spoken of his love for dogs. Vladimir Putin is known to have several pets.
Horses
Many remember the Labrador named Koni. He was a gift from Sergei Shoigu. The puppy was delivered from the Ministry of Emergency Situations' canine center in 2000. The dog's full name is Connie Polgrave. His mother, Henrietta Bosch, is the same black color as the presidential dog. His father, Alcor Ross Bradford, is a winner of numerous dog shows and a direct descendant of the Labrador that belonged to Leonid Brezhnev.
Koni often appeared at meetings between Vladimir Putin and officials and participated in photo shoots.
Barack Obama and Vladimir Putin once introduced their pets. Looking at Obama's Scottish terrier, Putin hinted that he considered such small dogs beneath him. His Kony is larger, fiercer, and more fearless.
The dog died in 2014. In her final months, she received special care and attention.
Buffy
Bulgarian Prime Minister Boyko Borisov presented Vladimir Putin with a Bulgarian Shepherd. This happened in 2010 in Sofia. Putin didn't like the nickname "Yorgo." An online vote was held, and the winning suggestion was submitted by a five-year-old boy. Since then, the dog has been called Buffy.
Yume
The Akita Inu puppy was presented to the president by Japanese authorities in gratitude for Russia's assistance in the aftermath of the earthquake. Yume means "dream." The puppy was given to the president at three months of age.
Loyal
In 2017, the summit took place in Sochi. The day before, Turkmen President Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov presented Vladimir Putin with a Turkmen Alabai puppy as a birthday gift. The dog's name, Vepaly, means "faithful" in Turkmen. Dogs of this breed are known for their loyalty, fearlessness, and great strength.
Pasha
In 2019, the Russian president accepted a Sharplanina Shepherd puppy as a gift. The four-month-old Pasha was given to him by the Serbian leader.
Tosya and Rodeo
These were the names of the two poodles that remained with the president's former wife. Tosya was acquired by Lyudmila Putina. Rodeo is Tosya's son.
Sauli Niinistö's dog Lennu
The Finnish President's favorite dog is Lennu. Sauli Niinistö and his wife acquired the Boston Terrier in 2011. Since then, the dog has become a celebrity. His photos have been widely discussed online. Many users commented that the smiling dog's funny face was impossible to take their eyes off, and that the dog outshone his owner in the photo.
Lennu is a pet name. The dog's real name is Boreas, which means "north wind."
Lennu is a participant in many events. He attends important meetings, helps accept Christmas gifts, and even answers letters from kindergarten children alongside his owner. Pastry chefs produce cakes featuring the famous dog's face. Thanks to his friendly appearance, Lennu is a regular participant in photo shoots.
Milos Zeman's hunting retriever
The President of the Czech Republic has a hunting retriever. The dog was given to Miloš Zeman's wife. One newspaper, trying to attract readers' attention, ran an article with a scandalous headline. The headline made it clear that First Lady Ivana had acquired a "cutie." In the Czech Republic, this word means both "favorite" and "lover." The matter nearly led to a scandal.
Ivana named the dog Darcy after the main character in the novel Pride and Prejudice by English writer Jane Austen.
Like any pet of a government official, Darcy attracts attention. Journalists love the retriever for his docile nature, dignity, and photogenic appearance.
The heads of state's four-legged pets are allowed at official receptions, photographed, and featured in films and books. These dogs and cats are known throughout the world. But they are unlikely to realize their lofty status. The greatest joy for presidential dogs is being close to their beloved owners, playing with them, and protecting them.
