Roderick Usher was named by Edgar and Allan after a character in one of their famous ancestor’s short stories. He is more than a mere pet to the twins — he’s a true friend. Easily distinguished by the white figure-eight on his breast, he is also distinguished by his skills at untying knots, imitating the sound of birds and other animals, and freezing like a “stuffed cat”, all on the Poe twins’ commands.