American presidents like their dogs, while British prime ministers appear to prefer cats. In political families it seems to be a straightforward case of dogs versus cats.
Numerous canines have prowled the corridors of power from George Washington to the Obama family. George Washington had three American Staghounds (Sweet Lips, Scentwell and Vulcan) and four Black and tan Coonhounds (Drunkard, Taster, Tipler and Tipsy). The President obviously had a keen sense of humour.
The Obama famiy pet is a young Portuguese water dog, named Bo. Animal experts normally advise against giving puppy dogs as presents, so let us hope that the late Senator Edward Kennedy thought long and hard before handing the puppy over to the Obama children.
Humphrey and Sybil are probably the most famous cats to have occupied London's Number Ten, Downing Street. Both of these cats were named after TV comedy shows. Both were black and white. Humphrey arrived as a stray in 1989 during John Major's premiership and was named after Sir Humphrey Appleby in the series Yes Minister. The animal settled in nicely, made himself at home and was there throughout the reign of Margaret Thatcher. Following the change of politics he welcomed the Blair family and was photographed looking very contented in the arms of the premier's wife Cherie.
Humphrey was the subject of a biography (The Downing Street cat) and survived right through until his death in 2006, when he was greatly missed. Not least by the Blairs and their children.
Sybil belonged to Alastair Darling the Chancellor of the Exchequer and his wife Margaret . She was named after Basil Fawlty's wife in the TV comedy series Fawlty Towers. Unfortunately, Sybil only lasted two years, having died in 2007.
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