Let's talk pawlitics.

Very fitting for election week, am I right?

Nov 10, 2023

Cats can do a lot of things. Like a lot. They can even be the Mayor! Mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, that is. Time to talk about cats in pawlitics:

🗳️ Mayor Stubbs

🇺🇸 Cats of the White House

🧡 Meet Pumpkin

🗳️ Mayor Stubbs

In 1997, a cat named Stubbs was believed to have won the civic post in the town of Talkeetna, Alaska, by a write-in vote from its 900 citizens. However, it turned out that the story of Stubbs being the mayor was not true since Talkeetna did not actually have a mayor. They still don’t, by the way.

Talkeetna is smaller than a small town — an unincorporated community. People are just living. Doing their thang. Fewer people = less politics. I mean pawlitics. The locals still loved Stubbs and appreciated his presence in the town. His owner, Lauri Stec, once said, "He doesn't raise our taxes - we have no sales tax. He doesn't interfere with business. He's honest."

The story of Stubbs, although not completely accurate, remains a fun and quirky part of Talkeetna's history. Stubbs died at age 20 on July 21, 2017.

Left to right: Stubbs and Denali (Photo Courtesy of Distractify and Stephanie)

The new mayor is Denali (a cat), who is from the same owner. Aka - Stubb’s brother. Seems like it’s a furry royal family, eh? 🍷

🇺🇸 Cats of the White House

One of my favorite things ever is reading stories about cats living in the White House. I imagine them having the time of their lives with so many places to explore and sniff. If my cats lived in such a mansion, I'd probably never see them again. Maybe during dinner time. That’s a hard maybe. Do you remember the newsletter where I mentioned Abraham Lincoln’s cats? Here it is, in case you missed it. I’m excited to share with you some First Cats from the last 30 years:

Willow Biden

Willow was named after the hometown of First Lady Jill Biden, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania. Originally a farm cat, Willow was adopted into the First Family as part of a campaign promise made between Rick Telesz, a Democratic politician, and the Biden family. The promise was if elected, Biden would swear to adopt a cat and have he/she live with them.

Socks Clinton

This adorable tuxedo cat named Socks was adopted as a lost kitten by Bill and Hillary’s daughter, Chelsea Clinton.

Former First Lady Hillary Clinton wrote in the foreword to her book, 'Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets' that "Connecting with the First Pets is often a child's earliest encounter with the White House, the President's office, or even the government's workings.”

India “Willie” Bush

Rubén Sierre, an athlete and former MLB star also known as "El Indio," is the namesake of the Bush's black cat seen in the photo below. At the time, President Bush owned the Texas Rangers, which is the team Sierra played for.

India spent much of her time sleeping and doing cat things in the presidential library. Though very loved, she was overshadowed in the media by her dog siblings but still appeared here and there.

Photo courtesy of the Presidential Pet Museum

🧡 Meet Pumpkin

Say howdy to Pumpkin, Mao Mao’s Cat of the Week!

He is truly one of the cutest and sweetest cats around. Pumpkin is cared for by my dear childhood friend Kaitlyn and her partner Haleigh. He is so fitting for Mao Mao’s late fall edition.

I mean, would you look at all that fluff?! And those pure eyes.