"Be careful what you wish for, because it might come true!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"It's nice being the First Pet and lovely here on the White House lawn, but I miss my family back in Lincoln Park." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"DUCK!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"I got an e-mail from Dulcinea! She wants us to join her in Washington! She's sending Air Force One!"/"Oh, terrific! She knows I hate to fly! And I suppose she'll expect us to spend all our time on that filthy Potomac while we're there, thank you very much!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

Meanwhile:"It's almost St. Patrick's Day, and I miss my cratemate, Lily. I wonder if she ever thinks of me?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"WHEE! It's great fun being an invisible pet and getting to sleep in the Lincoln Bedroom -- right, Zeus?" (Non-photo by Terry Foxx)

"I guess so, Lily, but I regret not having been here for Margaret Truman's slumber party!" (Non-photo by Danielle Hound-Doberman)

Earlier on: "Looks like the competition for the position of new First Pet at the White House is really heating up!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"I, Dulcinea the Duck, am soft and fun and rarely peckish. I declare myself the new First Pet! (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Dulcinea, you simply cannot have the job!" (Photo by Beth J.)

"What a quack! WHY NOT?" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"For one thing, I think you've got an asteroid on your tail -- for another, a duck can very easily go lame." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

But that's unlikely to happen with a nyphomaniacal ferret..." (Cartoon by A.G. Oscard)

...or the comeback kid, Shamus O'Possum." (Cartoon by A.G. Oscard)

My Dog! HE'S still alive? Sigh! Well, I suppose there's always...." (Photo by J.M. Hilton)

"Oh, you've GOT to be kidding!" (Photo by J.M. Hilton)