Wonderful and Wacky First Pets

Dogs and cats have lived at the White House during many presidential terms. So have exotic birds, a flock of sheep and even more unconventional animals. Check out this slide show for a selection of some of history's most endearing and unusual first pets.

By Meaghan Cameron

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Barack Obama (2009- )
Bo After winning the election, President Obama and First Lady Michelle Obama promised their daughters, Malia and Sasha, a new puppy. Bo is a Portuguese water dog given to the first family by Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife.

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whitehouse.gov

George W. Bush (2001-2009 )
Barney, Miss Beazley and India (the cat) The Scottish terriers were the subjects of many Bush family Christmas skits.

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Courtesy Jimmy Carter Presidential Library

Jimmy Carter (1977-1981) Misty Malarky Yin YangWhile having a Siamese cat as a pet isn't that unique, naming the creature Misty Malarky Yin Yang arguably makes it qualify! Here Carter's daughter, Amy, holds her cat.

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Courtesy Lyndon Baines Johnson Library and Museum

Lyndon B. Johnson (1963-1969) Him and Her -- BeaglesThese popular pups -- whose actual names were Him and Her -- once made the cover of Life magazine. Here they are on a walk with the President and the press on the White House lawn.

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whitehouse.gov

Caroline Kennedy's pet ducks waddle across the White House lawn. The children also owned a pony called Macaroni.

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Courtesy Roosevelt Library

Franklin D. Roosevelt (1933-45) Fala -- Scottish TerrierDubbed "The Informer," Fala was instantly recognized when out on walks during secret Presidential trips. But he redeemed himself by accepting the role of president of Barkers for Britain, a dog lovers organization whose members supported British people affected by WWII.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

President Warren G. Harding (1921-1923) Pete the SquirrelNavy Secretary Denby makes friends with Pete the squirrel on the White House lawn.

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Courtesy Library of Congress

Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929) Rebecca the Raccoon First Lady Grace Coolidge shows off her pet raccoon, Rebecca. Other Coolidge pets included two canaries named Nip and Tuck, a goose called Enoch, and Smoky the bobcat. President Coolidge was also given a baby bear, two lion cubs, a wallaby and a miniature hippopotamus.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

Woodrow Wilson (1913-1921) Old Ike and the FlockTo cut groundskeeping costs during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson brought a flock of sheep to trim the White House grounds. Included in the flock was Old Ike, a tobacco-chewing ram.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

William Howard Taft (1909-1913) Pauline the CowPresident William Howard Taft's cow, Pauline, poses in front of the Navy Building, which is known today as the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Pauline was the last cow to live at the White House and provided milk for President Taft.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) Eli Yale, the Blue MacawTeddy Roosevelt, Jr., son of President Theodore Roosevelt, poses with his blue macaw, Eli Yale.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) Algonquin the PonyAlgonquin the pony once rode the White House elevator when he visited Roosevelt's sick son, Archie, at his bedside.

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Courtesy Library of Congress

Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909) One-Legged RoosterSeen here is the Roosevelt family's one-legged rooster. In addition to the pets in previous slides, they also kept a bear, a badger, a pig and a hyena as well as numerous ordinary pets.

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Courtesy Library of Congress
whitehouse.gov

Benjamin Harrison (1889-1893) His Whiskers the GoatPresident Harrison gave his grandchildren a pet goat, His Whiskers, who would pull the children around in a cart. One day, His Whiskers took off through the White House gates as President Harrison chased them down Pennsylvania Avenue. For a while, the Harrisons also owned two opossums named Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection.

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