Unusual Pet Picks of World Leaders

Heads of State around the world are often presented with gifts of exotic animals by foreign governments, especially after a State Visit. Lions, giraffes, hippopotamus, civet cats, bears, and elephants have made appearances in royal palaces and presidential residences throughout history. However, these unusual animals have rarely found a permanent home with their new owners and usually find themselves living out their lives in zoos and menageries. The majority of world leaders tend to keep dogs and cats; but there are some notable exceptions.

Queen Elizabeth I

Queen Elizabeth I of England was an avid huntress and rider as well as an animal enthusiast. Among her many pets, one of the more unusual creatures favored by Queen Elizabeth I was the exotic cavy (guinea pig). The cavy were introduced to Europe in the middle 1500's by Spanish traders and became popular with the upper class. Elizabeth had several of the little fellows. A firm animal lover, the queen had many different types of pets including a ferret (ermine) that is shown in one of her portraits. She also kept several "pocket dogs" as pets. These tiny beagles were with her often and sometimes became part of the dinnertime entertainment when she let them loose to scamper the table, playing in and around the dishes.

Empress Josephine

Empress Josephine of France, beloved of Napoleon, had her fair share of unusual pets. In the waiting room of their county home outside of Paris, Malmaison, she kept caged birds including talking cockatoos, which were very rare in Europe at the time. Other in-house pets included rabbits and monkeys though without a doubt, Josephine's most memorable pet was an orangutan she occasionally had dressed and seated the dinner table.

Sir Winston Churchill

Sir Winston Churchill, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom during WWII loved animals and had quite a collection. A true wit, one of his best quotes is "I like pigs. Dogs look up to us. Cats look down on us. Pigs treat us as equals." After retiring, he and his wife moved to their country home, Chartwell in Kent, where he acquired, in addition to a number of pigs, one of his favorite pets, a green parakeet named Toby. It is said that when Churchill was writing his memoirs, he was often seen at his desk, Toby on his head, his ginger cat, Jock, in his lap, and Rufus, his standard poodle at his feet. Unfortunately, during a trip to Monte Carlo in 1960, Toby flew out of an open window and was lost. Sir Winston remarked that this was one of his saddest times. An animal lover to the end, Churchill left instructions in his will that Chartwell should never be without a "marmalade cat named Jock." Jock IV is currently in residence.

Sources:
http://www.flippyscatpage.com/churchill.html
http://www.dailymail.co.uk/femail/article-1052774/Around-world-Winston-Churchills-grandaughter-reveals-tales-Onassis-yacht-Lawrence-Arabia.html
http://www.jpgpr.com/jpgpr600.html
http://www.doctorbeer.com/joyce/ferrets/frhistpg.htm
http://catchadreamkennel.com/backround.html
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ch%C3%A2teau_de_Malmaison
http://www.cbc.ca/news/background/politicalpets/