A pit bull in Tennessee ended up at an overcrowded kill-shelter because his owner, after seeing the dog mount another male pooch, thought he was gay. The story made its way to Facebook, spreading the word that the pit bull would be put down if no one adopted him immediately. The post was shared more than 5,000 times, and soon enough, local veterinary technician Stephanie Fryns came forward and agreed to adopt him. Just hours before he was scheduled to be euthanized, the “gay” shelter dog — who Fryns renamed Elton — found a new home.
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.