31. A greyhound helped cause the English Reformation
King Henry VIII of England wanted to divorce Catherine of Aragon because she couldn’t give him a male heir. In Catholic England, this posed a delicate challenge. Cardinal Thomas Wolsey traveled to petition Pope Clement VII, and for some reason took his beloved greyhound, Urian, with him. Unfortunately, when Clement extended his foot for Wolsey to kiss, Urian leaped forward and bit him. Wolsey didn’t want to put his lips on Urian’s slobber, and refused the gesture. Whether this insolence determined Clement’s decision or not, he refused Wolsey’s request, and Henry later broke with Rome altogether to get his divorce.