Meet all the pets of US Presidents — Boston museum showcases animals of the White House

President Roosevelt went a notch up and turned the White House into a 'veritable zoo.'

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(L) Former President John F. Kennedy at Hyannis Port With His Dog, (R) White House and Washington Monument in Lafayette Square. (Cover Image Source: Getty Images | (L)Historical, (R) A-Tom)

Pets are a common occurrence in U.S. households, even in the presidential ones. While 71% of homes own a pet today, according to the World Animal Foundation (WAF), the White House has been no different, as several U.S. Presidents led the nation with furry pals by their side. An exhibition at the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum in Boston explores America’s pet history, headlining the VIP pets who lived with former presidents, as reported by PBS.

White House Exterior in Lush Greenery. (Image Source: Pexels |Ramaz Bluashvili) — White House Exterior in Lush Greenery. (Image Source: Pexels | Ramaz Bluashvili)

From the start, pets were deeply ingrained in political families. George Washington had his beloved horse, Nelsen, and foxhound, Sweet Lips, by his side as he performed duties as the nation’s founding father. Thomas Jefferson hand-fed his mockingbird, Dick. The museum showcases artifacts that belonged to White House pets.

A white horse in a stable. (Representative Image Source: Pixabay | Alexas_Fotos)

The 16th president, Abraham Lincoln, revolutionized presidential pet history and set himself apart with the first-ever photograph of his pet dog, Fido. “Lincoln has a photograph of his dog. And that's the first-known photograph of a presidential dog. And I think for so many Americans who then named their dog Fido, Lincoln is part of that origin story,” said Alan Price, the director of the John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. George W. Bush had his dog, Barney, with a Barney Cam dedicated to his antics. Ronald Reagan had Rex, who lived in his doghouse in the White House.

U.S. President George W. Bush with his dog Barney. (Representative Image Source: Getty Images | Pool)

Herbert Hoover took in a possum, Billy, as his pet. Added to the list of atypical pet owners is President Calvin Coolidge and first lady Grace, who went on evening walks with their pet raccoon, Rebecca. Meanwhile, President Theodore Roosevelt went a notch up and turned the White House into a “veritable zoo.” The museum has put on display his horse, Rough Rider’s saddle and crop, and another taxidermied badger resembling his pet, Josiah. Some of his other pets included a one-legged rooster, a snake, and a pony named Algonquin.

A cat with a black and white fur coat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels |Arina Krasnikova) — A cat with a black and white fur coat. (Representative Image Source: Pexels | Arina Krasnikova)

Roosevelt’s distant cousin, President Franklin Roosevelt, cast the spotlight on his Scottish terrier, Fala, who became a public figure. “The dog was in photographs with him everywhere. He was on the radio broadcasts. And people loved Fala. I think some people would argue the most consequential presidential dog,” Price recalled. Then came the Kennedys. John F. Kennedy and his family were famous for their children and pets. Macaroni, their pony, was one of the popular ones, ridden by his daughter Caroline Kennedy. The riding gear she wore and her tack were originally gifted by the king of Morocco and continue to shine in the museum display.

The White House Debuts The Obamas' New Dog Bo, A Portuguese Water Dog. (Image Source: Getty Images |Chip Somodevilla) — The White House Debuts The Obamas' New Dog Bo, A Portuguese Water Dog. (Image Source: Getty Images | Chip Somodevilla)

Bill Clinton, the 42nd president, influenced the pet industry with his pet cat, Socks. It led to a surge in the purchase of black and white cats, noted Mike Keiley of the Massachusetts Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals-Angell. Former President Barack Obama was gifted a sculpture made of pipe cleaners to resemble his pet dog, Bo, a Portuguese water dog. Lyndon B. Johnson, who assumed presidential duties following the assassination of President Kennedy, shocked the world with his informal demeanor, howling with his dog, Yuki.