PRESIDENTIAL PETS

Almost every American President had at least one pet roaming about the White House and/or White House lawn.

President George W. Bush was the owner of Spot, an English Springer Spaniel who was the daughter of George H.W. Bush’s famed dog Millie. Spot lived to 14-years-old. She had lived with the elder Bush’s for a little while, making her the only pet to live in the White House Twice! President Bush also owns two Scottish Terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley.

The Clintons owned Buddy, a chocolate Lab, whom he adopted as a puppy and named after his late uncle. They also owned a pet cat named Socks. Buddy and Socks fought frequently and were kept in separate living quarters.

George H.W. and Barbara Bush were the owners of Millie, an English Springer Spaniel who is often referred to as the most famous White House pet. She authored a book titled Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. Millie was also portrayed in an episode of the TV series Murphy Brown. Millie gave birth two 6 puppies, one of which went to their son George W. (Spot) and one which they kept themselves, Ranger.

The Reagans owned a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex.

Gerald Ford owned a Golden Retriever named Liberty.

Richard Nixon owned several dogs – a Cocker Spaniel named Checkers, Poodle named Vicky a Terrier named Pasha and an Irish Setter named King Tamahoe. The most infamous White House dog, through no fault of his own, was actually Checkers! In 1952, when Nixon was running for Vice President under Eisenhower, he was accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions. Nixon gave his “Checkers Speech” where he listed his financial assets and admitted to accepting only one gift: a dog named Checkers from a Texas traveling salesman. He said, "The kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it."

Older presidents…

Calvin Coolidge was the biggest animal lover of all. There were not only the usual dogs (9), cats (4), birds, and horses at the Coolidge White House; there was a bear cub, two lion cubs, a wallaby, an antelope, a donkey, a hippopotamus, a bobcat, and a raccoon named Rebecca (who he often walked around the White House on a leash).

Harry Truman wasn’t that big of a dog lover. In fact, when he was given an adorable Cocker Spaniel named Feller, he gave him away. He did, however, provide us with the very popular quote – “If you want a friend in Washington, you should buy a dog.”

Franklin Delano and Eleanor Roosevelt owned several dogs, most of them on the larger side. They include a German Shepherd named Major, a Scottish Terrier named Meggie, a Llewellyn Setter named Winks, an Old English Sheepdog named Tiny, a Great Dane named President, a Mastiff named Blaze and the most famous and loyal, Fala, another Scottish Terrier with a famous story. President Roosevelt took Fala along on a trip to the Aleutian Islands during World War II, and accidentally left the pooch behind on one of the islands. He then sent a Naval destroyer back to the island to retrieve Fala.

President Johnson owned a pair of beagles named “Him” and “Her.” He ignited a storm of press when he lifted up Him by the ears to show him to the press one day. He also owned a Collie named Blanco and a mixed breed dog named Yuki.

President George Washington was well known for his devotion to animals. His favorite was his beloved horse, Nelson. President Washington was riding Nelson when he accepted General Charles Cornwallis' surrender at Yorktown, the battle that ended the Revolutionary War.

Theodore Roosevelt was a dog lover as well. Among their many canines were Sailor Boy the Chesapeake retriever, Jack the terrier, Skip the mutt, and Pete, a bull terrier who sank his teeth into so many legs that he had to be exiled to the Roosevelt home in Long Island! His wife had a small black Pekingese named Manchu, which she received from the last empress of China during a trip to the Far East.