From pets to legends

The dog that waited 10 years for its owner and other statue-worthy pets

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We all remember a special pet from our childhood for different reasons, and many of us still have a furry friend who happily greets us every time we come home. But beyond being faithful companions, some animals have also made a lasting impact on society. Join us as we discover 10 incredible animals who were honored with their own memorials!

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One of the most famous presidential pets in America -and even the world- was Fala, the lovely black Scottish Terrier who followed President Franklin D. Roosevelt everywhere he went. And in a way, Fala is still by FDR's side, as his own bronze statue sits right next to the president's at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.

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All dogs have a special place in our hearts, but as it turns out, some of them even find a place in government! That was the case for Bosco, a Labrador and Rottweiler mix that was elected honorary mayor of Sunol, California, and held the title from 1981 until his passing in 1994. As it could not be otherwise, after his death, the locals honored him with his well-deserved bronze statue.

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Central Park is where you'll find the statue of Balto, a brave dog who helped save many lives! In 1925, Balto led a team of sled dogs across nearly 700 miles of icy Alaskan terrain. This heroic dog was tasked with transporting diphtheria antitoxin to a remote village facing a deadly outbreak. No one can deny that he deserves a memorial!

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Dog loyalty is a serious issue, and Hachiko is the perfect example. Famous not just in Japan but around the world, Hachiko, an Akita dog, faithfully accompanied his owner to work every day and waited for him at the train station. Tragically, his owner passed away while at work, but Hachiko never left the station, waiting for him every day for 10 years until his own death. His story touched many people, and in 1934, a bronze statue of Hachiko was erected at Shibuya Station.

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In the streets of Istanbul lived Tombilli, the city's most beloved cat. Known for lounging lazily on the steps of different buildings with one arm comfortably draped, this cat became an icon and was the main character of many stories and photos. After his passing in 2016, Tombilli's fame earned him a memorial in the streets of the Turkish city.

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This Llewellyn Setter, born in 1925, was particularly known for his exceptional hunting skills, but that wasn't all. It was said that Jim was able to understand and obey commands in multiple languages, and even in Morse code! According to his owner, Jim could also identify cars and people just by hearing their description. Whether this was true or an exaggeration, there's no doubt that Jim was an incredibly intelligent dog, and we're glad he has a well-deserved statue.

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We all remember Laika, the courageous dog who became the first living creature to orbit the Earth. Laika was found on the streets of Moscow, and her strength and resilience led her to become a part of this historic space mission. In November 1957, she was sent aboard Sputnik 2, the second spacecraft to be launched into space. Unfortunately, Laika didn't survive. Years later, a memorial was erected in Moscow to commemorate and honor Laika's heroic sacrifice.

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In the early 1800s, explorer Matthew Flinders undertook a series of voyages to circumnavigate and map the coasts of the Australian continent. But Flinders didn't sail alone. Along for the journey was Trim, the loyal cat who stayed by his side throughout the adventure. It's said that as a kitten, Trim once fell overboard but managed to swim back to the ship and climb up a rope. That moment showed his bold spirit, and it's just one of the reasons he earned the statue that was erected in his honor in 1996.

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It's not just cats and dogs; there's also a statue that honors Winnipeg, a black bear cub. In 1914, Winnipeg was adopted by a Canadian lieutenant who named her after his hometown of Winnipeg, Manitoba. The bear cub traveled with him to England during WWI and eventually became a star resident at the London Zoo. There, she captured the heart of A.A. Milne's son and became the inspiration for the lovable Winnie the Pooh. As could not be otherwise, her memorial is in the Canadian city of Winnipeg.

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When we talk about heroic animals, we can't forget the many four-legged friends who have served in different wartime conflicts. In London, you can find the Animals in War Memorial, a place dedicated to all those animals that have served and lost their lives under military command throughout British history. They definitely deserve recognition!

You’ve felt these 14 emotions, you just didn’t know what to call them!

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Ever felt something so oddly specific that you couldn't quite put it into words? Turns out, there are words for those hard-to-describe emotions—you just haven’t heard them yet. Some come from other languages, some are made up but still meaningful, and all of them might just make you say, "So that’s what I’ve been feeling!" Here are a few you might recognize from your own inner world.

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You might have a packed calendar, a buzzing phone, and a social life that looks great from the outside. But deep down, it can still feel like no one truly knows you. That’s Mal de Coucou: when you’re surrounded by people but missing a genuine connection. Has this ever happened to you?

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Ever wish you could let things roll off your back instead of stressing over every little detail? That’s liberosis—and most of us have felt it. It’s the urge to stop sweating the small stuff and care a whole lot less. Not because you don’t care, but because life might feel a little lighter if you didn’t carry it all.

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You’re sitting on the porch, sipping coffee, and suddenly realize, "Hey... I’m actually really happy right now." It’s a beautiful moment—and it has a name: kairosclerosis. Sure, it might sound like a backache, but it's the moment you notice your own joy… And maybe mess it up a little by overthinking it.

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You’re finally tucked in, lights out, ready to sleep... and boom. Your brain brings up something awkward from 1993. That’s a nighthawk—a sneaky late-night thought that only seems to visit during the dark hours. Wanna go back to sleep? Put some relaxing music on!

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Sometimes, no matter how hard you try, it still feels like you can’t quite get things right, as if you’re always a step off. That low-grade self-doubt, that nagging sense you’re not measuring up? That’s pâro. So fight it off—and in case nobody told you today: you’re doing great!

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You can know someone for decades—a sibling, a spouse, a lifelong friend… but suddenly, you realize there are parts of them you’ll never fully understand. That strange, humbling moment of awareness? There’s a word for it: gnossienne.

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You know that little ache you feel when you wonder what people truly think of you? Not just in passing—but deep down? That feeling is called catoptric tristesse. It’s the quiet sadness of knowing you’ll never get to see yourself from the outside.

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Do you ever go, "Oh… the 1910s," or find yourself thinking about the summers of your grandparents' youth? That warm ache for a past you didn’t personally experience is called anemoia. It’s like flipping through old black-and-white photos and feeling homesick for a place you’ve never been.

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Picture your favorite diner—now closed and empty. Or a quiet school hallway in July. Chills, right? That eerie stillness where life used to be—that’s kenopsia. It’s a little heartbreaking… and maybe a little spooky too.

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Have you ever rehearsed a conversation with someone in your head? Maybe it’s what you should have said in an old argument, or how you hope your next talk will go. That internal back-and-forth is called jouska. Sometimes it helps; sometimes it just makes you spiral out of control.

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You lock eyes with someone, even just for a second, and boom—a jolt of energy straight to your core. That zing? That’s ecstatic shock: a mix of butterflies, surprise, and the hope that they also noticed. Wonderful, isn’t it?

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You’re sitting still, and out of nowhere, you notice your own heartbeat. Doesn’t it feel loud? Intrusive? Maybe even unsettling. That odd awareness is rubatosis. And once you notice it, good luck un-noticing.

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It’s weird, but real. Sometimes we imagine what it’d be like to survive a crash or a catastrophe of that sort. That pull toward chaos is called lachesism. It’s not self-destructive; it’s more about wanting to feel alive and tested.

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You meet someone new and click instantly, but you still don’t really know them. That impatience to fast-forward through small talk and get to the good stuff? That’s adronitis. Friendship takes time, and waiting can be the hardest part.