Some seem to think that you can tell a lot about a person by the way that he or she treats animals. Keeping that in mind, it can be fun to look at a person’s choice in pet, and even more so when that person is a celebrity. While you may be tired of hearing about politics, West Park Animal Hospital thought it would be fun to take a look at some famous presidential pets and the people who love them.
Presidential Pooches
Man’s best friend has been welcome in the White House for some time. Some are better remembered than others, but all have been special. Famous canines who have graced the oval office include:
- Warren G. Harding’s Airedale Terrier, Laddie Boy
- Herbert Hoover’s Belgian Shepherd, King Tut
- Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier, Fala (who had to be rescued after being accidentally left behind on a trip to the Aleutian Islands)
- Richard Nixon’s black and white Cocker Spaniel, Checkers
- JFK’s dog, Pushinka
- Lyndon B. Johnson’s beagles, Him and Her (who he was accused of mistreating)
- George H.W. Bush’s Springer Spaniel, Millie
- Barack Obama’s Portuguese Water Dog, Bo
Felines for Freedom
Cats are the most popular pet in the United States, and it is no surprise that a few felines have called the White House their home. Some of the more notable presidential kitties through history have included:
- Socks, feline friend of Chelsea Clinton
- Misty Malarky Ying Yang, a Siamese cat who belonged to Jimmy Carter’s daughter
- Siam, Rutherford B. Hayes’ cat (who was the first Siamese cat in the country)
- Abraham Lincoln’s cats, Tabby and Dixie, who he proclaimed to be smarter than “his whole cabinet”
Presidential Pets of a Different Variety
Of course, many other critters have graced the halls of the White House over the years. Some of the more interesting presidential pets have included:
- Two bear cubs belonging to Thomas Jefferson
- An alligator belonging to John Quincy Adams
- James Buchanan’s eagle
- Grover Cleveland’s mockingbirds
- Benjamin Harrison’s opossums, named Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection
- Theodore Roosevelt’s menagerie, including snakes, chickens, a bear, a badger, a hyena, and a barn owl
- A pygmy hippopotamus belonging to Calvin Coolidge
In fact, there are only a select few presidents who have not had a pet while in the White House. The list includes Andrew Jackson and James K. Polk, and currently Donald Trump, who is the first president in a century without an animal sidekick of some variety.
President Harry S. Truman once stated that, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a pet”. This is perhaps sage advice that most of our commander-in-chiefs have honored, and it is certainly interesting to see what pets our presidents have chosen.
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