Russians have a long tradition of loving pets. The 19th century painter Velentin Serov famously portrayed Madame Yussoupova with her Pomeranian in the last days of the Russian Empire. Other painters of that century also painted noblemen with their pets. During the Communist era, space and economic limitations prevented most Russians from owning pets. Since […]
Many famous people were pet-lovers. Most of the United States presidents kept pets (see U.S. Presidents and their Pets)) and Winston Churchill had a series of pets. Some famous historical figures have had unusual pets as companions: Ramses II (14th century BC) owned a pet lion. The lion went to battle with him and is […]
Pets participated in the Civil War in a number of ways. There were dogs who fought on the front lines, spy dogs, hospital dogs, messenger dogs and prison dogs. Other animals served as mascots for the regiments. Despite orders to the contrary, many soldiers kept pets with them, including dogs, cats, squirrels and raccoons. General […]
