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Move over, celebrities—these classic snapshots highlight how animals have long enjoyed pastimes typically associated with people, showcasing their playful and relatable nature throughout history.
They Enjoy Tunes...
This snapshot: Dance enthusiasts pair up for their favorite radio program, February 1926. Above: A feline dons headphones to tune into a broadcast, January 1926.
...And Visit Bars.
January 1936: A camel steps up to the counter, greeted by "Zandra," the pantomime cat from 'Dick Whittington' at Bournemouth Pavilion.
They Share Family Dinners...
July 1936: 'Tornado' Smith, the daredevil Wall of Death rider from Southend, and his spouse enjoy tea alongside their pet lion and lamb.
...And Attend Social Gatherings.
June 1934: Arimund Banu, a snake charmer, hosts a gathering for the pets of stage performers at London's Prince of Wales Theatre.
They Engage in Board Games...
February 1933: A lamb and a cat are engrossed in a game of draughts, observed by a bantam, in Langford, Somerset.
...And Take Part in Athletic Pursuits!
1940: A boy on roller skates holds onto a sizable tabby cat.
They also face challenges with obesity.
1935: Ginger, London's heaviest feline, is welcomed by a staff member at the High Holborn restaurant where he resides, on October 12th, 1935. Ginger tips the scales at twenty-three pounds.
They Embark on Road Adventures...
September 1934: Mrs. C. Wylds takes the driver's seat with her pet pig in Terling, Essex.
...And Prioritize Grooming.
April 1932: "Tibby," the feline film star, relaxes on Abraham Sofaer's lap, the lead actor in her British Lion production at Beaconsfield, The Flying Squad, as Gerald Fairbank, the make-up artist, tidies her whiskers for the shoot.
They Savor Gourmet Dishes at Upscale Eateries.
1980: Arthur, the feline star of cat food commercials, enjoys a lavish meal at a high-end restaurant.
They Take the Driver's Seat.
1933: A cat and a bulldog share a ride in a miniature car.
They also showcase their vocal talents!
1926: Mr. Macfrisco, the melodic sea lion, practices during a singing lesson.
They Mark Their Birthdays...
August 1977: A cat, aged twenty-seven (equivalent to 189 human years), enjoys her birthday celebration.
...And Enjoy Browsing Shop Displays.
Silent film star Phyllis Gordon (1889 - 1964) browses shop windows in Earls Court, London, accompanied by her four-year-old cheetah, flown in from Kenya.
They Love to Pose.
June 1956: Bachan Singh and Abdul Rahman of the Malayan Police Band, set to perform at the Royal Tournament, visit London Zoo and bond with Anabella the Orangutan.
They Handle Laundry.
September 1933: A cat lines up a row of tame rats on a washing line to dry.
They Require Yearly Visits to a Trusted Veterinarian.
A zoo veterinarian cradles an iguana, circa 1956.
They Enjoy Sunbathing.
January 1938: A piglet receives treatment from the PDSA (People's Dispensary for Animals) in Ilford using a sun ray lamp to heal a skin condition.
They Sport Eyewear...
1925: Actress Fay Webb poses with her pet goose, sporting a stylish pair of spectacles.
...And Wield Weapons.
1956: "Carrots," the rabbit, launches table tennis balls using a miniature cannon.
And guess what—they even write!
1955: A woman instructs her kangaroo on how to type.
All images provided by Getty Images.
