Pets

For thousands of years people have kept and cared for domesticated animals, often developing strong emotional ties with their pets and regarding them as members of the family. While once important for the services they provided--including rodent control, hunting, and guarding--pets have become even more popular as companions. Noting that relationships between people seem to be less reliable and more complicated, Veterinarian Aaron Katcher described the appeal of pets, explaining that animals offer "a much less difficult relationship." Pets have made an impact on more than just their owners, however. Stories of pets' heroism, hilarious escapades, and loyal companionship abound throughout popular media.

The dramatic heroism and unbreakable devotion of some animals is reflected in literature. In stories like The Incredible Journey (1961) loyal pets brave the Canadian wilderness to find their families, Wilbur wins the heart of a small farming community in Charlotte's Web (1952), and in The Odyssey only Argus, Odysseus' dog, recognizes him upon his return.

Animal stories have proven to be potent material for Hollywood movies. In 1957 Old Yeller broke the hearts of American movie audiences with the story of a dog who lost his own life in order to save that of a boy's. The little dog Benji used cunning intelligence to solve crimes in the 1970s. The 1980s and 1990s saw a virtual explosion of live and animated films starring pets. Hooch slobbered his way through a murder mystery with Tom Hanks in Turner and Hooch (1989). The true story of Balto the Siberian husky, who carried the diphtheria serum 650 miles from Nenama to Nome in 1925, became a moving animated film in 1995. And hits such as Beethoven, 101 Dalmatians, and Babe scored at the box office with stories of animal ingenuity.

Since the golden age of television pets have entertained audiences. Lassie, television's longest running show, kept people tuned in for seventeen years in the 1950s and 1960s while the loyal dog saved people, solved mysteries, and generally loved his owner. In lesser roles, animals have added insight and comic relief to the tensions in human life. Both Murray, who drinks out of the toilet in Mad about You, and Eddie, who won't stay off the furniture in Frazier, anger and amuse humans by exposing the triviality of common annoyances. Even Data from Star Trek: The Next Generation keeps Spot the cat as a companion in his quarters because the pet makes him feel more human.
In the 1970s, 1980s, and 1990s pets dominated the world of animated cartoons. In 1976, cat and bird duo Sylvester and Tweety began a long-running cartoon showcasing their antics. Comic-born Snoopy entertained audiences with fascinating stories of his imaginary world and Garfield comically revealed the intelligence of animals and the foibles of humans.

Even in the comics, stories of pets inspire and excite. In For Better or Worse, Farley saved April from drowning and then died from exhaustion; Little Orphan Annie's dog Sandy stays loyally by her side; and Huey, Calvin's real pet hamster, provides amusing comments about the young boy's adventures with his stuffed Tiger in Calvin and Hobbs.
Americans have been fascinated by the pets who occupy the White House. Richard Nixon talked about his dog Checkers in a speech which saved his place on the Eisenhower ticket. Barbara Bush helped the cocker spaniel Millie write a best-selling book in 1990 about what it's like to be the President's best friend. The coverage of President Clinton's decision to adopt a dog in 1997 overshadowed major news events. The White House received so many letters concerning the first pets that Hilary Rodham Clinton compiled Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets to share American children's interesting questions about the Clintons' cat and dog. The presence of pets in the White House has become such a part of American life that it would be hard for many Americans to imagine a pet-less president.

The twentieth century was truly a remarkable one for pets, famous or not. Despite the fact that they can be dirty, expensive, and demanding, pets reside in nearly half of all Western European and North American homes. Many people consider their pets to be surrogate children. In 1993 alone Americans spent 17 billion dollars on food, veterinary bills, leashes, apparel, toys, and other accessories and services for their pets. The influence of pets in popular media surely encouraged many people to become pet owners and it is clear that anyone wishing to understand pet-human relationships can understand exactly what pet owners are looking for in an episode or two of Lassie.

St. James Encyclopedia of Popular Culture, 2002 Gale Group.