Time Magazine has completed its annual list of the most influential personalities from around the world, and 2013's edition stands out for including a new list: The most notable animals of the last year.
The peculiar list includes some of the most popular pets on the Internet, and others, such as those that brought some comfort to the victims of the Boston Marathon bombings, or those that simply put a smile on people's faces.
Here is the list of the most influential animals of 2013 according to Time Magazine.
1. Sunny, the pet of the Obama family
Barack Obama's new pet was introduced through his official Twitter account and it immediately became an online sensation.
Welcome to the family, Sunny. pic.twitter.com/j0sINwCHaw
- Barack Obama (@BarackObama) August 20, 2013
2. Olinguito
This is the first new species discovered in the Americas in the last three decades, and has been identified as a smaller member of the raccoon family.
3. Bowser, the dog that survived a tornado
The tornado that hit Oklahoma last May left dozens of homes destroyed, but one of the most touching stories that TV viewers witnessed was that of Barbara García, a woman that looked for her dog as CBS filmed her. The TV cameras caught the precise moment when the animal stood up from under the rubble and reunited with her owner.
4. Therapeutic dogs in Boston
The pack of golden retrievers that played a therapeutic role for the survivors of the bombings during the Boston Marathon last april.
5. Cicadas
The arrival of cicadas to the United States was one of the most awaited events of 2013. The migration takes place every 17 years; however, it wasn't as big as expected.
6. Washington Zoo Pandas
Last October, the famous Panda Cam, a camera that was turned off during the U.S. Government shutdown, restarted its 24-hour broadcast, to the joy of the Internet.
On Sunday, Mei Xiang left the den for more than 30 minutes. #cubwatch pic.twitter.com/5o8iQtFRLb
- National Zoo (@NationalZoo) September 30, 2013
7. The "gay" dog rescued by Facebook users
A pitbull was abandoned by its owner after it was seen mating with another male dog. The animal would have been sacrificed if nobody adopted it, and Facebook users organized a campaign to find a new home for the dog.
8. A dolphin in Brooklyn waters
The discovery of a dolphin stuck in the contaminated waters of the Gowanus canals in Brooklyn sparked a debate among New Yorkers, who expressed their worry for the environment.
9. The dog that climbed Mt. Everest
The first dog to reach the base camp of the Everest, a dog rescued from a dump in India, surprised the world when it conquered the tallest mountain in the world along with her owner, a former professional golfer, for a campaign to raise awareness about homeless animals.
10. A pig in a wheelchair
A sweet animal with a cute name that went viral for being an example of how to overcome adversity. The pig, born without hind legs, would have been sacrificed on the request of its owner. The vet in charge decided to adopt him and design a wheelchair so it could move.
11. "Grumpy Cat"
One of the most renowned personalities of the Internet, the famous grumpy cat that has entertained online users throughout 2013. A true celebrity.
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