Most of the American presidents have indeed been wildlife enthusiasts, with pets ranging from dogs or cats to exotic animals. Visiting diplomats gave exotic animals to a certain, including President John Quincy Adams, who kept a crocodile in his bathtub. Martin van Buren battled Parliament for the right to keep two tiger babies.
Several presidents have kept domesticated animals on the premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, including Woodrow Wilson, who had a herd of sheep, and John F. Kennedy's child, who had a horse. However, that's far from the first time a royal dog has made the news. Here are a few White House's other noticeable, often extraordinary pets.
Several presidents have kept domesticated animals on the premises of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue, including Woodrow Wilson, who had a herd of sheep, and John F. Kennedy's child, who had a horse. However, that's far from the first time a royal dog has made the news. Here are a few White House's other noticeable, often extraordinary pets.
Josiah the Badger
During a journey west in 1903, Theodore Roosevelt acquired a newborn gopher. Even when confronted with young kids fascinated by the creature, Josiah demonstrated his kind nature. Roosevelt replied to his children, informing them that he would be taking the badger home and giving Josiah the title "Josh" for brevity.
Because the Roosevelts had so many pets, a badger-specific enclosure was needed, equipped with two feet of an enclosed dungeon for him to dig. Whenever Josiah was out of his chamber, he was renowned for biting ankles, and the family quickly learned to keep a safe distance from him.
Adams's Alligator
John Quincy Adams, as per myth, maintained a crocodile in the Capitol Building for a few months. The unusual creature, a bequest first from the King of France, ended up living in the East Room's unfinished lavatory. According to one story about the crocodile, Adams would tell U.S. Government guests used that restroom, particularly people he didn't like, so that he could keep an eye on their panic excursions.
Wilson's Sheep
The Wilson household served in the armed forces by placing a herd of sheep on the White House lawn throughout World War I. The farm was grazed by up to 48 lambs, reducing labor and upkeep expenditures. The Red Cross received $53,823 from an auction of their yarn. During the 20th century, the Wilson lambs weren't the only animals to adorn the Whitehouse; the former president, William Howard Taft, maintained a milk cow named Pauline Wayne as a supply of fresh dairy.
Socks
Socks was probably the best known of the early felines. The monochrome cat was found wandering in Arkansas before even being adopted by Chelsea Clinton and then becoming a member of the potential presidential family. Socks had become a media report immediately after Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1992. The household had a problem with reporters enticing him out for a picture op.
Socks was probably the best known of the early felines. The monochrome cat was found wandering in Arkansas before even being adopted by Chelsea Clinton and then becoming a member of the potential presidential family. Socks had become a media report immediately after Bill Clinton's inauguration in 1992. The household had a problem with reporters enticing him out for a picture op.
Him and Her
Lyndon Baines Johnson possessed licensed mutts, Him & Her, who've been prominent figures of the first house. These were just the subject of micro for Johnson in 1964, once he was pictured holding Him aloft by his lobes.
The uproar was just so strong that Johnson was forced to make a public announcement about the incident, characterizing the dog's whimpers as "a joyful noise." She perished in 1964 after ingesting a stone, while he was killed in 1966 after already being run over by an elite driver.
The uproar was just so strong that Johnson was forced to make a public announcement about the incident, characterizing the dog's whimpers as "a joyful noise." She perished in 1964 after ingesting a stone, while he was killed in 1966 after already being run over by an elite driver.
Checkers
In a related story, a decade later, opponent Richard Nixon was accused of having a hidden political endowment. He denied the allegations on national tv, but he later acknowledged receiving one undisclosed present. Nixon clarified: "It was a small dachshund puppy," he admitted in what became famous as the "Checkers Speech" on TV. Checkers was a monochrome puppy.
In a related story, a decade later, opponent Richard Nixon was accused of having a hidden political endowment. He denied the allegations on national tv, but he later acknowledged receiving one undisclosed present. Nixon clarified: "It was a small dachshund puppy," he admitted in what became famous as the "Checkers Speech" on TV. Checkers was a monochrome puppy.