The White House and its residents
The White House, located in Washington, D.C., is the official residence of the President of the United States. Throughout the years, it has been home to various presidents and their families, and with them, a variety of pets and animals. These pets have ranged from dogs and cats to more exotic animals like bears and hyenas. In this article, we will take a look at some of the species that have inhabited the White House over the years.
The first inhabitants: Presidential pets in the 19th century
The first presidential pet was a horse owned by George Washington. However, it wasn’t until the 19th century that pets became a more common part of the presidential household. President Andrew Jackson had a parrot named Poll, who was known for his foul language. President Martin Van Buren had two tiger cubs, given to him as a gift by the Sultan of Oman. President Benjamin Harrison owned a goat named Whiskers, who would often pull his grandchildren around in a cart. As the years went on, more and more presidents began to have pets, and they became an important part of the White House’s history.
Teddy Roosevelt’s menagerie: From badgers to hyenas
President Theodore Roosevelt was known for his love of animals, and during his time in the White House, he had a large collection of pets. He had a badger named Josiah, a bear named Jonathan Edwards, and a hyena named Bill. His children also had pets, including a pony named Algonquin and a lizard named Bill. Roosevelt’s love of animals was not just limited to pets, as he was also an avid hunter and conservationist. He established several national parks and wildlife refuges, and his conservation efforts have helped to protect many species of animals.
The Coolidges’ collection: A raccoon and a wallaby
President Calvin Coolidge and his family also had a collection of pets during their time in the White House. They had a raccoon named Rebecca, who was often seen playing with the family dogs. They also had a wallaby named Jumping Johnny, who would often be found hopping around the White House lawn. Coolidge was known for his love of animals, and he often gave speeches about the importance of protecting wildlife.
Franklin Roosevelt’s famous Fala: The presidential dog
President Franklin D. Roosevelt had a beloved Scottish terrier named Fala, who became famous for his role in Roosevelt’s public image. Fala would often accompany the president on trips and was known for his loyalty and affection towards his owner. Fala even had his own Secret Service detail, and there is a statue of him at the Franklin D. Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.
Dwight D. Eisenhower’s love for his Weimaraner
President Dwight D. Eisenhower had a Weimaraner named Heidi, who was known for her loyalty and affection towards her owner. Eisenhower was often seen playing with Heidi on the White House lawn, and he even wrote a letter to her during his time in office, expressing his love and appreciation for her.
John F. Kennedy’s pets: From ponies to parakeets
President John F. Kennedy and his family had a large collection of pets during their time in the White House. They had several dogs, including a Welsh terrier named Charlie and a German shepherd named Clipper. They also had a pony named Macaroni, who was a gift from Vice President Lyndon B. Johnson. Kennedy’s daughter Caroline had a pet hamster named Debbie, and the family also had parakeets and a canary.
Lyndon B. Johnson’s beagles: The subject of a famous photo
President Lyndon B. Johnson had two beagles named Him and Her, who were often seen playing around the White House. In 1964, a photo was taken of Johnson holding Him by the ears, which led to controversy and criticism from animal rights activists. Johnson later apologized for the incident and made a donation to an animal welfare organization.
The Nixons’ dogs: Checkers and the famous speech
President Richard Nixon and his family had several dogs during their time in the White House, including a poodle named Vicky and a terrier named Pasha. However, their most famous dog was Checkers, who was mentioned in a speech Nixon gave during his 1952 vice presidential campaign. The speech became known as the "Checkers Speech" and is remembered as a pivotal moment in Nixon’s career.
Carter’s wildlife: A Billy goat and an actual snake in the grass
President Jimmy Carter and his family had several pets during their time in the White House, including a dog named Grits and a cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang. They also had a pet billy goat named Billy, who was often seen wandering around the White House lawn. In addition to their pets, the Carters also had some unexpected wildlife visitors, including a snake that was found in the grass near the tennis court.
The Obamas’ Portuguese water dogs: Bo and Sunny
President Barack Obama and his family had two Portuguese water dogs during their time in the White House. Bo was given to the family as a gift by Senator Ted Kennedy, and Sunny was added to the family in 2013. Bo and Sunny were often seen playing around the White House and were a beloved part of the Obama family.
Trump’s pets: A first in decades, no pets at all
President Donald Trump was the first president in decades to not have any pets during his time in the White House. Although he was known to be a dog lover, he chose not to have any pets during his presidency.
