William Taft owned two cows. The cows provided milk for the first family. Hey Taft, got milk?
Woodrow Wilson used rams, sheep and goats to maintain the White House lawn to save money. But unfortunately they ended up costing too much money because they ate expensive plants as well.
Warren Harding loved his “Laddie Boy.” “Laddie Boy” was an Airedale terrier. When the dog died the President was so upset that he asked for penny donations which were liquefied and made into a statue that is currently housed at the Smithsonian
Institute.
Calvin Coolidge had two lovely white furry dogs that his wife had painted with her in a portrait. The portrait still hangs in the White House. President Coolidge also was the proud owner of a raccoon named “Rebecca”, an exotic bird named “Do-Funny”, a pair of lion cubs named “Tax Reduction” and “Budget Bureau” and a pygmy hippo named “Billy.” President Coolidge was always thinking of the government even when
naming his dogs.
Herbert Hoover had a pet opossum, until a baseball team in Maryland insisted it was their missing team mascot. So the President returned the opossum to the championship team.
Franklin Delano Roosevelt used taxpayers money to go back and pick up his lost dog in Alaska. As the President was leaving Alaska, he realized that “Fala” was A.W.O.L. and so old F.D.R. sent out the Democratic rescue party. During WW2 “Fala” was enlisted in the army to drum up recruits. Attack Hitler, Fala!
Harry S. Truman had an Irish setter named “Mike.” The president was not a fan of pets but his daughter Margaret begged and begged. The President finally gave into his daughter's pleas.
Dwight D. Eisenhower had a dog named “Heidi.” “Heidi” did not like to be photographed and was vicious to photographers. Too bad she isn't around today to guard the overexposed and rehab bound celebrities from the paparazzi.
The children of John F. Kennedy owned a pony named “Macaroni” They also had cats, dogs, hamsters and a deer. (“Bambi Roams the West Lawn' a new Disney flick).
Lyndon Johnson had a stray dog named “Yuri.”“Yuri” was found by Luci Johnson, the President's daughter and brought home to the White House. The President reportedly taught “Yuri” how to sing into the telephone.
. I wonder how many world leaders got a chance to hear him on the infamous “red phone.” Lyndon Johnson also had two beagles named “Him” and “Her.” Ha! that must be that dry Texas humor for you.
Richard Nixon had a cocker spaniel that was named “Checkers.”“Checkers” kept the cameras off the then Vice-President Nixon when he was accused of helping himself to money from unnamed contributors. Looks like he was a “Tricky Dickey,” well before Watergate and “Checkers” was a great distraction for the media when President Nixon mentioned him in a televised speech.
Gerald Ford had a Golden Retriever named “Liberty.” “Liberty” had a litter of eight puppies in the White House. The White House sent out postcards to fans and signed them with a “Liberty” paw stamp.
Jimmy Carter had the second Siamese cat to grace the White House. This cat's name was “Misty Malarky Ying Yang” and she was Amy Carter's pet. Amy was the President's daughter. The family tried to add “Grits” the dog to their household but “Misty Malarky Ying Yang” was too distressed with the dog. “Grits”
did destroy many household items as well. Eventually, “Misty Malarky Ying Yang”was the only pet, as “Grits” found a new home.
Ronald Reagan had a King Charles spaniel named “Rex.”“Rex” is Latin for “King.” The dog was very energetic and always stole the show. The President was photographed more than once being dragged by “Rex.” It looked like the”king”was taking the President for a walk!
George H.W. Bush had an English spaniel named “Millie.” Mrs. Bush even wrote a popular book entitle, “Millie's Book” about a dog's view of living in the White House.
Mille had her picture taken for many magazine covers with famous dignitaries. Millie was the mother to six puppies in the White House.
Bill Clinton's daughter, Chelsea had a cat named “Socks” that received notoriety during his presidency. The Clintons also added a black lab named “Buddy” who was remembered for being spirited and having a high energy level. Poor “Buddy” was killed years after Bill Clinton left the White House.
The current President, George W. Bush has 2 dogs and 2 cats. He also owns a longhorn cow that he keeps on his Texas ranch. Longhorns used to be endangered, but they are not any longer.
As you can see, our Presidential “First Pets” have left their own paw prints on the history of our country.
