ClassX Video Lessons Presidential Pets: the History of Pets in the White House Presents: Hilarious History
Did you know that the White House, where the President of the United States lives, has often been home to some furry and feathered friends? In 2021, President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill Biden brought their two German Shepherds, Champ and Major, to live with them. Having pets in the White House is a tradition that started a long time ago, even with the very first president, George Washington! Let’s explore some of the coolest and most interesting pets that have lived with U.S. presidents over the years.
Many U.S. presidents have loved having pets. In fact, 33 out of 42 presidents have had at least one dog while in office! Birds come in second place, with 18 presidents owning them, and horses were popular with 14 presidents. Surprisingly, cats were only the fourth most common pet, with just 12 presidents having them as companions.
George Washington, the first U.S. president, was a big fan of dogs. He had several, with fun names like Vulcan, Drunkard, and Sweetlips. Besides dogs, he also had horses, a donkey given to him by the King of Spain, and a parrot named Snipe.
John Adams had horses named Caesar and Cleopatra and three dogs, including one named Satan. Thomas Jefferson had a variety of pets, like mockingbirds, dogs, and horses. He even got two grizzly bear cubs, but they were too dangerous to keep, so they went to a museum.
John Quincy Adams had a special interest in silkworms, while Andrew Jackson had a parrot named Poll who was famous for using naughty words, even at Jackson’s funeral!
Martin Van Buren received tiger cubs as a gift, but Congress decided they should live in a zoo. Abraham Lincoln, known for being kind, pardoned a turkey named Jack, starting the tradition of the presidential turkey pardon.
Theodore Roosevelt had more pets than any other president, including a bear, a lizard, and a pig. Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier, Fala, was so loved that he even got fan mail!
John F. Kennedy’s family had many pets, like a rabbit and a cat named Tom Kitten. One famous pet was Pushinka, a puppy from the Soviet Premier, which made people wonder if it was a spy!
Bill Clinton’s cat, Socks, was so popular that he had his own website! George H.W. Bush had a dog named Millie, whose puppies were born while he was president.
The Obama family had two Portuguese Water Dogs, Bo and Sunny, because they are good for people with allergies. Joe Biden’s dogs, Champ and Major, continue the tradition, with Major being the first rescue dog to live in the White House.
Throughout history, presidential pets have been more than just animals; they’ve been friends and companions to the leaders of the nation. These pets have helped presidents feel at home and have even played a part in international friendships. Whether wild or domestic, these animals have captured the hearts of many and added a special touch to the presidency.
Presidential Pet Parade: Create your own parade of presidential pets! Draw or craft your favorite animals that have lived in the White House. Use materials like paper, crayons, or clay. Once your pets are ready, arrange them in a line and have a mini parade. Think about why each president might have chosen their specific pets and share your thoughts with a friend or family member.
Pet Detective: Become a pet detective and research a president’s pet that you find most interesting. What special traits or stories do they have? Write a short story or draw a comic strip about an adventure they might have had in the White House. Share your creation with your class or family and discuss what makes that pet unique.
Pet Observation Journal: Start a journal to observe pets in your neighborhood or at home. Note their behaviors, sounds, and interactions with people. Compare your observations with the stories of presidential pets. How do they help their owners feel happy or relaxed? Discuss with your classmates how pets can be important companions in everyday life.
