Hunter S. Thompson fathered his own form of journalism dubbed “Gonzo journalism.” He was known for his eccentricities, which can be seen in the pets that he liked to keep. Over the years, Thompson had many animals that reflect how wild and chaotic his life was.
Some Of The Strangest Animals
The animals had lived with him at Owl Farm, his home in Woody Creek, Colorado. As his menagerie expanded, he adopted some of the strangest animals anyone had ever kept. These animals were no doubt reflected in his writing and his identity.
Edward the Mynah Bird
Edward was perhaps Thompson’s most notorious pet. He was a mynah bird that Thompson kept with him at Owl Farm. Myna birds can mimic noises that they hear, including human voices. From his mimicry, Edward shared Thompson’s own irreverent nature.
A Strange Relationship
Guests at Owl Farm wouldn’t know what to think about the strange relationship between Thompson and Edward — they often found themselves startled as Edward repeated the expletives and phrases Thompson would shout around the house. Hunter, who was never one to shy away from profanity, once joked that Edward was “the only reasonable voice in this madhouse.” Ralph Steadman, Thompson’s illustrator, would hear Thompson speak to the bird and, on one occasion, say, “Edward! There is no bird God that will save you, Edward!”
Screw Jack the Cat
With all of the strange animals he owned, Thompson also had a seemingly ordinary companion – a cat. Screw Jack the Cat was written about in one of Thompson’s books of the same name – Screwjack, a book of short stories.
The Line Between Absurdity And Reality
As Thompson remarked about his cat’s strange addiction, “There are few things more tragic than a cat who’s addicted to cocaine.” The irony was palpable, as the situation mirrored the wild and out-of-control life Thompson led. Thompson would reportedly blow small amounts of the drug near the cat’s face when it emitted a “hair-raising cry” for more. This bizarre relationship reflected Thompson’s unconventional and reckless tendencies, where the line between absurdity and reality was often blurred.
The Peacocks
Thompson also had pride of peacocks in his “fortified compound,” which added both beauty and chaos to Owl Farm. It is speculated that he kept the peacocks as an alarm system. The peacocks would be put to bed in the evenings.
Mirroring His Own Personality
“Peacocks are impossible to ignore. They’re like God’s own alarm system,” Thompson once said. The noise the birds made would disturb the peace and quiet of Owl Farm, somewhat feeling in character for Thompson’s home. Thompson described them as “the most beautiful and horrible birds in the world.” The vibrant birds also mirrored Thompson’s personality, with their striking plumage and chaotic nature. He once joked that the peacocks symbolized “all the things worth protecting in a world gone mad.”
The Wolverine
Hunter’s claim to have owned a wolverine is one of the more mysterious aspects of his pet history. Wolverines are known for being solitary and fiercely independent creatures—traits that no doubt appealed to Thompson’s own fiercely individualistic nature. The specifics of how Thompson came to own a wolverine remain unclear, and it may well have been an exaggeration or a tall tale.
A notorious photo of Thompson has him posing with the wolverine alongside his cherry-red Pontiac Grand Ville. There’s a lot of speculation around the wolverine, with no context as to where the wolverine came from or where it went. Many people believe that the animal in the photo is stuffed.
A Perfect Fit For Thompson
Either way, the symbol of the wolverine is perfect for Thompson. Wolverines are solitary animals that reflect Thompson’s own rebellious nature. The image also blends the lines between what’s real and what isn’t, which is a perfect theme for Thompson.
The Monkey
Another animal that Thompson had at Owl Farm was a pet monkey. Although we know he had a monkey, not much is known about the animal, but with all of the other animals on this list, we can imagine thet kind of chaotic atmosphere that overtook his home.
Mischievous And Unpredictable
Monkeys are mischievous and unpredictable, just like Thompson himself. Without a lot of information on what the monkey got up to, we’ll just have to imagine what kind of antics and energy the animal contributed to Thompson’s already bizarre life.
A Reflection Of His Personality
Hunter S. Thompson’s many pets each reflected a different part of the author and journalist. He once said, “Things are no longer what they seem to be. My telephones are haunted, and animals whisper at me from unseen places.” The quote is taken from his book about his past, Kingdom of Fear: Loathsome Secrets of a Star-Crossed Child in the Final Days of the American Century.
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