By Paul Fogleman, Publisher
February is the month during which Americans salute their presidents. President’s Day, Feb. 20, honors two of the nation’s most famous presidents George Washington and Abraham Lincoln. But now, more attention is given to the lives of all 45 people who have served as our Chief Executives.
But what about their pets?
Pet o’ Mine has dug into the background of presidents and their pets. The research has shown that the White House and grounds have been home to a surprising array of animals – from elephants to tiger cubs and panthers as well as the expected dogs and cats.
Dogs have played memorable roles in our history.
In 1944, President Franklin D. Roosevelt was running for a fourth term in the midst of World War II when rumors circulated that his Scottish Terrier, Fala, had accidentally been left behind when he visited the Aleutian Islands. After reportedly sending ships back to retrieve his dog, Roosevelt was ridiculed and accused of spending thousands of taxpayer’s dollars. At a speech shortly after, Roosevelt said, “You can criticize me and my family, but you can’t criticize my little dog. He’s Scotch and all these allegations about spending money have made him a little soul furious.”
What was later called the “Fala speech” reportedly turned the election around.
In 1952, while running as vice president under Dwight Eisenhower, Richard Nixon was accused of hiding a secret slush fund. He denied the slush fund but admitted he received as a gift a black and white Cocker Spaniel. The “Checkers Speech” won over Mamie Eisenhower, and he remained on the ticket.
Lyndon Johnson provoked outrage because he was pictured picking up his two Beagle dogs, Him and Her by their ears. Some pundits insisted the incident damaged Johnson’s image.
Dogs have been beside presidents since George Washington who had American Staghounds and coon dogs with such names as Sweet Lips, Drunkard, Tipsy, Taster and Tipler. He considered his horse that carried him through the Revolution, Nelson, as a pet.
Thomas Jefferson was among some presidents who included a mockingbird as a pet. Grover Cleveland and Woodrow Wilson were others.
Jefferson also had two bear cubs. Martin Van Buren owned two tiger cubs until he was advised to send them to the zoo. James Buchanan sent his elephants, gifts from the King of Siam, to the zoo. Buchanan also had an eagle.
Historians report that Charles Arthur who served in the late 1800’s had no pets.
Presidents James K Polk and Zachary Taylor also reportedly had only horses they considered as pets.
A lot of creatures at the White House in days past were gifts. In addition to the tigers and elephants, gifts included alligators (Herbert Hoover), a bobcat and lion cubs (Calvin Coolidge), and two birds from Japan (Franklin Pierce).
Down through history, parrots were in the White House. Andrew Jackson taught his parrot to swear. Until 1916 cows at the White House provided milk and butter for the first families and some were considered as pets, i.e. William Howard Taft with Mooly Wooly and Pauline Wayne.
It is well known that President Theodore Roosevelt kept the largest menagerie of terriers, ponies, dogs, cats, chickens, a parrot, guinea pigs, a farm pig, garter snake, badger, and even rats. Roosevelt’s children even carried a pony to the second floor of the White House on its first elevator.
Second to the Roosevelt family was, surprisingly, Calvin Coolidge. Silent Cal’s collection included dogs, cats, raccoons, a donkey, canaries, a goose, bobcat, pygmy hippo, a wallaby, a Duiker (very small antelope) and a black bear.
Perhaps the saddest account is that of Andrew Johnson. While he was enduring impeachment proceedings, he fed his only pets – a family of white mice that took up residence in his quarters.
Presidents probably learned that pets are reliable and relaxing. As has been said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.” 
Read the Jan/Feb Issue of Pet o' Mine on-line: (METRO) or (UNIFOUR)
