Political Animals : The secret life of the political pets of Westminster and Washington by Peter Cardwell

Larry the cat, chief mouser of Downing Street, has seen off five Prime Ministers so far and is a national treasure. 

Though certainly the most famous cat inBritain, Larry is only one of a long line of political animals at the seats of government on both sides of the Atlantic. Frompandas and platypuses to Labradors and lions, animals have long shored up peacebetween rivals, clinched election campaigns, caused divisions within parties andleft their unique calling cards in the halls of power.

Journalistand former special adviser Peter Cardwell traces the political (andnot-so-political) adventures of these fascinating pets from Tudor times to No. 10's newest kitten. Drawing on exclusive interviews with Washington andWestminster insiders, including Prime Ministers past and present, Cardwell revealsnever-before-heard tales of political pets and offers a fresh insight into theenduring relationships between those in government and their furry friends.