The First Family got a bit cuter when a new dog settled into the White House in August. President Obama officially introduced the one-year-old pup, Sunny, on Twitter, and naturally, the Internet rejoiced. She joined fellow Portuguese water dog Bo, who until then had been the Obamas’ only pooch. In his 2012 victory speech, President Obama had said, “for now one dog’s probably enough.” But clearly, by 2013 he’d changed his mind (perhaps at the urging of his daughters Sasha and Malia). Nothing says influence like a free pass to wander the West Wing.
The 11 Most Influential Animals of 2013
They pawed around the West Wing and comforted people after tragedy. Sometimes, like pandas, they made their biggest impact by not being there at all. Here’s an unranked look at four-legged and finned creatures that shaped our year.