After months of anticipation, the First Pup has finally arrived in the Obama White House -- and we sure hope he's getting some media training. This 6-month old Portuguese Water Dog, already named Bo by Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, is set to become the most famous dog in America. The first daughters chose the name in homage to their maternal grandfather, whose nickname was Diddley, and also for their cousin's cat, who has the same name. Bo made his way to Washington with a little help from Senator Ted Kennedy and and his wife Victoria, who own three Portuguese Water Dogs. Finding the perfect pooch took some time -- the Obamas were looking for an allergy-friendly dog for Malia. All we can say is, the White House vegetable garden better watch out.
Talk about a fat cat! "Princess Chunk," a 44-pound feline, received national attention in the summer of 2008 when he -- yes, this princess is a boy -- was found waddling through the streets of Voorhees, NJ after his owner lost her home to foreclosure. After making the talk show rounds -- including Regis and Kelly -- Chunk was adopted by a New Jersey family, one of thousands of people who inquired. Happy ending!
Disney-ABC Domestic Television, AP
She must have really liked New York. In 2006, Vivi, a whippet who had just won an award of merit at the Westminster Kennel Club show escaped from her carrier at LaGuardia airport and was never found, despite a massive search effort by her frantic owner.
Frank Franklin II, AP
The media can't get enough of "the Lion Whisperer," aka Kevin Richardson. In this amazing photograph, Richardson takes a dip with Meg the lion in the Crocodile River just south of the Magaliesburg mountains, near Johannesburg, South Africa on March 10, 2009.
BARM, Fame Pictures
Looks like Hercules didn't get the memo: when you can no longer fit through the pet door, you should probably take it easy on the cat food. But it was dog food this tubby tabby from Oregon was after when he got stuck in a neighbor's pet door in 2007. This 20-pound fatty was later reunited with his owner.
Benjamin Brink, The Oregonian / AP
A 10-year-old Sussex Spaniel named Stump surprised the world by winning Best in Show at the 2009 Westminster Kennel Club, and becoming the oldest dog ever to win the big prize. Stump had come out of retirement to compete, and according to his owner he is now officially retired (sounds like he's been hanging out with Jay Z). In human years, by the way, he's almost 70. We'd say he's earned some R&R.
Peter Kramer, AP
The circus isn't all fun and games. In 2008, the ASPCA, Animal Welfare Institute, and other activist groups took Ringling Bros. to court over its treatment of pachyderm performers. The groups allege that the elephants' work conditions -- including long hours of travel and prodding by bullhooks -- are inhumane. Ringling Bros. claims the animals are very well cared for. A ruling is expected this summer -- so far no elephants have taken the stand.
Feld Entertainment, Inc, AP
Seeing-eye dogs better mark their territory! There's a whole menagerie of amazing animals assisting people with disabilities. Mini horses help the blind, monkeys assist quadriplegics, goats help those with muscular dystrophy, to name a few. But because some Americans feels that the practice has gone too far, the U.S. government is considering a proposal to ban these service animals, a move that has many disabled Americans up in arms.
Toby Talbot, AP
Breaking pet news from Mamurras, Albania! In 2007, fate brought this cat and puppy together. The kitty, who had lost her kitten, took in a puppy whose mother was killed by a car as her own.
Gent Shkullaku, AFP /Getty Images
In May, 2008, a California-based biotech company called BioArts announced that is would clone dogs for the five highest bidders. The controversial practice costs between $130,000 and $170,000. Here, BioArts International chief executive Lou Hawthorne poses with pups he cloned from his own dog.
BioArts International, AP