But that was just a metaphor. (Ed: An inapt one.) Here are nine examples of the real thing — actual ‘political animals’ that have taken on politics in America and elsewhere, and shown that it’s not just the Bull Moose Party that gets to have all the fun.

1. Mae Poulet

In 2012, this California hen ran for vice president under the Bully Party, with a bull terrier from Tennessee atop the ticket. The duo fared poorly, however, likely due to infighting within the campaign — leading to the destruction of the ticket, and a full bull terrier.

2. The cat in the 2012 Va. Senate race

A Maine coon’s owners led a write-in campaign for Virginia’s U.S. Senate race in 2012. They assert Hank the cat received around 7,000 votes, good for third place.

3. Pigasus the Immortal

At the Democratic National Convention in Chicago in 1968, the Youth International Party (Yippies) nominated a 145-pound black and white pig, named Pigasus the Immortal, for president. The movement’s leaders demanded “Pigasus be given Secret Service protection and be brought to the White House for his foreign policy briefing.”

The Yippies and Pigasus were arrested. During court, one of the Yippies stated they were arrested for disorderly conduct and bringing a pig into Chicago. At the trial, defense counsel William Kunstler asked the Yippie witness “Were you informed by an officer that the pig had squealed on you?”

4. Stubbs the cat

Stubbs the cat has been the mayor of Talkeetna, Alaska, for 16 years. Unfortunately, he was mauled by a dog in September, although his condition has been improving.

5. Morris the cat

Morris the cat ran for mayor of Xalapa, Mexico, in 2013. People thought he would be an improvement over the quality of politicians from which they would usually choose. His slogan was “Tired of Voting for Rats? Vote for a Cat.”

6. Boston Curtis

In 1938, voters of Milton, Washington, elected Boston Curtis as a precinct committeeman. Boston Curtis was a “large brown mule” — yet a Republican.

7. Cacareco the rhinoceros

In 1959, an actual “RINO” won a city council election in Brazil, and broke both gender and species barriers. “Cacareco, a five-year-old female rhinoceros at the local zoo” won in a landslide with 100,000 votes, which is still among the highest vote totals in all of Brazilian local politics.

8. Bosco Ramos

In 1981, Bosco Ramos, a Black Labrador and Rottweiler mix, became mayor of Sunol, Calif. He stayed in office for 13 years, until his death. There is a statue dedicated to him.

9. Lucy Lou

Rabbit Hash, KY, has a long line of K-9 mayors. The town’s current mayor is Lucy Lou, a border collie.

(BONUS – animals breaking boundaries in law: In 2011, Sal Esposito, a cat, was called into jury duty in Boston. His owner filed to have him disqualified. She provided proof that he is, indeed, a cat. The court denied the request.)