On this day in 1809, our 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, was born. He was a great man for many reasons, but he was also an animal lover; some might have even called him a crazy cat lady (don’t let the Arkansas Legislature hear about that “lady” part). He had a whole menagerie in the White House, including cats (he’s believed to be the first president who kept cats as pets), goats, ponies and a turkey, but he also throughout his life had rabbits, dogs (he left his dog Fido with a friend in Springfield after he was elected because he was frightened by crowds) and other pets. In his honor today, enjoy some cute critters.
For the life of him, Sparky can’t figure out why this walk is taking so long. Image found on imgur.
Though this quote is unproven to be from Lincoln, it’s nice to think he might have said it, knowing his love for cats. Image found on imgflip.
Four score and seven years ago, my pops last fed me. C’mon, man, I’m starvin’! Image found on Pinterest.
Lincoln was known as The Railsplitter. I shall be known as The Hoomin-splitter. Don’t. Ever. Put. This. On. Me. Again. Image found on Twitter.
Why he no play wif me? GIF found on giphy.
Willow, the latest First Cat, owes much to Abraham Lincoln (and Socks, the Clintons’ cat, who chose his people just as Willow did). Image found on The Guardian.
You could do worse than being an animal lover like Lincoln. Image found on Commonplace Fun Facts.
Because that could have saved him! Image found on Know Your Meme.
Of course, I HAD to include this, which was drawn for one of my columns. Obviously, Roger Miller was cribbing his lyrics from Honest Abe. “Dang me” came from the notes Lincoln threw out for the Gettysburg Address, I hear. Awesome illustration by John Deering. See if you can spot Luke and me.
The picture of that hungry dog dressed like Lincoln reminds me of how Marlow the Golden Retriever would behave on the rare occasions when I would order a meat and cheese pizza. When he was six years old, he would try to tell me that he hadn’t had anything to eat for Seven Years and was going to waste away to a little furry shadow if I didn’t give him a slice or two of the pizza.
When Marlow was seven years old, he would try to tell me that he hadn’t had anything to eat for eight years. His brown eyes would become so big and so sad while he was trying to look pitiful, pathetic, and starving.
He’d draw me and Luke sometimes just for the hell of it. I loved the one he drew for one of Luke’s senior exams. Gave him an excuse to draw a sombrero (senor). 🤣
I didn’t know that about Abe! I looked which presidents did not have pets at the White House: James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump. Empathy with animals may tell us something profound about someone’s character!
I think Jim Wheeler made a very good point when he reminded us about human beings who have empathy with animals and show it by the way they treat our furry, four-legged friends.
So does my friend Steve Hurd. Steve and his wife have three cats and one dog–a very large black female lab who is very protective of Steve and his wife.
I'm a retiree in his seventies. That may not be significant to many, since there is a bunch of us Baby Boomers around. However, in the year 2,000, when I received a diagnosis of Multiple Myeloma, I expected to be dead in three to five years.
Serenity is a fuzzy belly 
Yes I spotted you and Luke in the crowd listening to Lincoln telling people that they cannot roller skate in a buffalo herd.
LikeLiked by 1 person
The picture of that hungry dog dressed like Lincoln reminds me of how Marlow the Golden Retriever would behave on the rare occasions when I would order a meat and cheese pizza. When he was six years old, he would try to tell me that he hadn’t had anything to eat for Seven Years and was going to waste away to a little furry shadow if I didn’t give him a slice or two of the pizza.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Well, he was hongry!
LikeLiked by 1 person
When Marlow was seven years old, he would try to tell me that he hadn’t had anything to eat for eight years. His brown eyes would become so big and so sad while he was trying to look pitiful, pathetic, and starving.
LikeLike
I love that John Deering included you and Luke in the cartoon!! I’m also glad that Willow is running the White House. She’s adorable.
LikeLiked by 2 people
He’d draw me and Luke sometimes just for the hell of it. I loved the one he drew for one of Luke’s senior exams. Gave him an excuse to draw a sombrero (senor). 🤣
LikeLiked by 1 person
I didn’t know that about Abe! I looked which presidents did not have pets at the White House: James K. Polk, Andrew Johnson, and Donald Trump. Empathy with animals may tell us something profound about someone’s character!
LikeLiked by 2 people
It does. Animal lovers are to be preferred!
LikeLiked by 1 person
I think Jim Wheeler made a very good point when he reminded us about human beings who have empathy with animals and show it by the way they treat our furry, four-legged friends.
LikeLike
Brenda have you ever read Samurai Cat by Mark Rogers?
LikeLike
Don’t think so.
LikeLike
Since you like cats, I recommend that you read Samurai Cat.
LikeLike
Lincoln’s long been my favorite president, but I never knew he was such an animal lover. That elevates him to an even higher level!
LikeLiked by 2 people
I never heard Lincoln, but I herd cats. Thanks for sharing some cat pix!
LikeLiked by 2 people
So does my friend Steve Hurd. Steve and his wife have three cats and one dog–a very large black female lab who is very protective of Steve and his wife.
LikeLike