Guest Post By Brad
Finney
Throughout
the course of American History, many Presidents shared the White House with
their beloved pets. Over 200 pets total have called the White House home over
the years. Some of the earlier President had some more interesting pets. George
Washington and James Madison owned several dogs but also kept Parrots in the
White House. John Quincy Adams was gifted a pet alligator. James Buchanan was
given a herd of Elephants as a gift from the King of Siam. Buchanan kept one of
the Elephants on the grounds of the White House. While some Presidents had more
exotic pets, a total of 32 Presidents kept the company of dogs. Here are some
of the famous canine friends of previous Presidents.
Lyndon B. Johnson shared the White House with numerous dogs.
His favorite was a mutt named Yuki that was found as a stray by his daughter.
Johnson also had a white collie names Blanco and a Beagle named Edgar given to
him by J. Edgar Hoover. Johnson’s most famous dogs were male and female Beagles
named Him and Her.
Warren G. Harding was owned by an Airedale Terrier named
Laddie Boy. Laddie was the first Presidential pooch to receive regular press
coverage.
Franklin D. Roosevelt had a Scottish Terrier named Fala.
Fala very rarely left his master’s side and traveled with the President and the
First Lady, Eleanor Roosevelt. Fala was so adored by the American public that
he had his own press secretary to handle his fan mail. Fala was so beloved by
the Roosevelt’s that when he was accidently left behind in the Aleutian
Islands, President Roosevelt spent millions of dollars to send a Navy destroyer
to retrieve him.
Ronald Reagan had two pets during his Presidency. A Bouvier
de Flanders named Lucky and a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex. Lucky is
famous for dragging his master across the lawn of the White House in presence
of Margaret Thatcher. Rex was a gift given to Nancy Reagan in 1985.
George W. Bush lived with a Scottish Terrier named Barney.
Barney became so popular that he got his own page on the White House website.
Barney was later joined by a female Scottish Terrier named Miss Beazley.
Presidential pets have been a great tradition in the White
House. Many of the pets have been almost as famous as their owners. Every time
there is a new President elected, the nation waits to see what kind of pets the
new President will select.
Sources:
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