Pets
Amazing Animals Get Lots of Likes on Facebook
There are nearly 2 billion monthly users on Facebook spending at least 20 minutes a day on this remarkably popular social media stage. While many of us hook up with our friends and family, others connect to a variety of four-legged and feathered superstars with their own pages and a legion of followers.
Meet crowd favorites Dally, an 8-year-old Jack Russell terrier who rides atop Spanky, a 9-year-old miniature horse. The two are not only sensational performers, they’re the best of friends. Check out the athletic prowess of 5-year-old Bamboo, a mutt who seriously knows how to skateboard and is also practicing his soccer skills. Get to know stylish 7-year-old Crusoe. The miniature black-and-tan dachshund loves to travel, enjoys the limelight and “authors” his own books.
Because of their amazing feats, natural abilities and considerable amount of charm, it’s easy to see why these animals are social media stars.
DALLY AND SPANKY: THE DAZZLING DUO
Dally and Spanky have been working together since 2012, when Spanky was rescued and taken to Horse Creek Ranch near Spokane in Washington. Dally, the unpopular runt of her litter, arrived at the ranch in 2011. “For Dally, it was love at first sight. Spanky took a little longer,” says their trainer, Francesca Carson. One day, Dally couldn’t hold back her feelings any longer and just jumped on Spanky’s back—a move that started it all. Dally and Spanky have a couple of books out: The Dally and
Spanky Coloring Book and, more recently, The Great Adventures of Dally and Spanky: The True Story of a Rescued Miniature Horse
and a Jack Russell Puppy. “Both kids and adults love the book’s message that ‘no matter what we look like or how different, we can triumph together,’ ” says Francesca Carson. In addition to Facebook, the show-stopping twosome can be found on YouTube, Twitter and Instagram.
BAMBOO: THE AMAZING ATHLETE
Bamboo, from Solana Beach, California, is an impressive skateboarding dog who is also honing his soccer skills and practicing Frisbee.
The rescue mutt was adopted as a puppy by Mike Bolaris and
his family. Bamboo was always eager to learn to do everything that Bolaris and his children could do, so it was fun working with him on spins, twists and other tricks. “Teaching him to skateboard was as easy as just giving him encouragement to do so,” Bolaris says.
CRUSOE: THE STYLISH SOJOURNER
Crusoe is a miniature black-and-tan dachshund residing in Quebec, Canada, with “mum and dad” Lauren and Ryan Beauchesne, who got him as a pup.
Crusoe has always been a celebrity in the making. “I used to take pictures of him as a pup and post them to my personal Facebook,” explains Ryan. People first fell in love with him through those pictures.
Such qualities make Crusoe great to work with, and he just knows when it’s acting time and has no problem wearing homemade costumes. These include jungle explorer dog, hunting dog and Mickey Mouse dog. Because of the popularity of his wardrobe, he’s coming out with his own costume line. And he’s the “spokesdog” for BarkBox, where members are sent a themed collection of toys, treats and a chew every month.
BINI THE BUNNY AND EINSTEIN
While Dally and Spanky, Bamboo, and Crusoe are four sensational animals, there’s Bini the Bunny, of Los Angeles. The 4-year-old Holland Lop rabbit plays basketball, combs and styles hair, and enjoys arcade games. But Bini is most famous for creating original paintings!
There’s also Einstein, a 20-year-old African grey parrot that loves to talk, sing, dance and do impersonations—an especially funny one is of actor Matthew McConaughey.
And while you can "friend" and follow these amazing animals on Facebook and other social media, you just might also be inspired to teach your old dog a few new tricks!