The piglet known as Chris P. Bacon had all the raw materials to become a viral star: an adorable little face, a cute, vaguely ironic name, and a touching tale of overcoming adversity. He was born without the use of his hind legs and began learning to walk with the help of a pint-sized wheelchair made from toy parts. His original owner has intended to put him down, but Florida-based veterinarian Len Lucero decided to adopt him — and help him become mobile. Lucero posted a video of the piglet using his tiny wheelchair to YouTube, where it racked up more than 1.5 million views. And with that, a porcine star was born.
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.