The Top 5 Presidential Pets
Petside.com has compiled a list of the most popular pets in politics. These "First Pets" were loved by America and in some cases even influenced the course of history. Did your favorite make the list?
#5 Him and Her (Lyndon Johnson 1963-1969)
Him and Her were brother and sister Beagles born on June 27, 1963. Johnson often played with the two on the White House lawn. Two of Him's puppies, Freckles and Kim, were kept by Johnson's daughter Luci. During his presidency, Johnson also had three other dogs, J. Edgar, Blanco and Yuki.
Fun Facts:
- These popular pups once made the cover of Life magazine.
- Johnson created a firestorm of protest in 1964 after lifting Him's front paws off the ground by his ears.
#4 Rex (Ronald Reagan 1981-1989)
Rex was a Cavalier King Charles spaniel owned by Nancy and Ronald Reagan. The former President gave Rex to the First Lady as a Christmas present in 1985. Rex is thought to be named for Rex Scouten, a former White House chief usher. Rex lived to age 13.
Fun Facts:
- Rex helped throw the switch to light up the 1985 National Christmas Tree.
- Rex had an extravagant doghouse that included curtains and framed pictures of the President and First Lady.
#3 Socks (Bill Clinton 1993-2001)
Socks moved into the White House with the Clintons in 1993. He was the first cat to live in the White House since Amy Carter's cat, Misty Malarky Ying Yang. When the Clintons left the White House in 2001 Socks was left under the care of Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie.
Fun Facts:
- Books written about Socks include Socks Goes to Washington: The Diary of America's First Cat and a collection of letters from children written to Socks and his canine White House companion Buddy.
- Socks was featured in a December 1993 episode of the sitcom Murphy Brown entitled Sox and the Single Girl.
- Socks was to be the topic of a cancelled 1993 video game entitled Socks the Cat Rocks the Hill.
#2 Millie (George Bush 1989-1993)
Mildred Kerr Bush, or Millie, was a Springer spaniel owned by the Bush family. She was named after the Bush's longtime friend Mildred Caldwell Kerr. In 1997 Millie died of pneumonia at age 12.
Fun Facts:
- Millie is the only First Pet to write a book. She is credited as the author of Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush.
- Millie had puppies while living at the White House. One of her puppies is Spot, who is now also a presidential pet owned by George W. Bush.
#1 Checkers (Richard Nixon 1969-1974)
Checkers was an American cocker spaniel born in 1951. Checkers was given to the Nixon family by a Texas supporter after he read that Nixon's daughters wanted a dog. The dog is buried at Long Island's Bide-a-Wee Pet Cemetery.
Fun Facts:
- "The Checkers Speech" is one of Nixon's most famous speeches. In 1952 Nixon had been accused of accepting illegal campaign contributions while a vice-presidential nominee. In a live address to the nation, later dubbed the "Checkers speech," he revealed that the only gift he had ever accepted was a cocker spaniel and that "the kids, like all kids, love the dog and I just want to say this right now, that regardless of what they say about it, we're gonna keep it." The speech is widely considered to have saved Nixon's vice-presidential candidacy.
Who do you think is the best First Pet ever? Leave a comment and share!
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Comments (8)
Doug Boone April 14, 2009 12:59 PM
The two appropriate pets were the cat and King Charles Spaniel. I didn't include the Cocker Spaniel because they can be temperamental. The Beagles and Springer Spaniel need more space and exercise then practical in the White House. All things being equal I like the King Charles Spaniel and Springer Spaniel although I have never owned either.
Teresa Kratz April 14, 2009 4:27 PM
You are right about the beagles, they need work to do or they get bored and then can be temperamental. My beagle has resource guarding problem, which means you can not trust him around any one who does not understand that. Unless they want to get bit. But 95 0/0 of time he is most loving dog. I have learnt that a lot of beagles lately are being found to act this way. I think the King Charles Spaniel, but they can be very snippy so I will go with the cat.
alyssa April 14, 2009 8:00 PM
all dogs need love
Mel April 16, 2009 7:02 PM
What does "Resource Guarding" mean? ive never heard of that.
the cat is the one! April 17, 2009 1:36 AM
Cats misbehave, don't give a damn about discipline and are cool companions. Socks and Clinton resemble a lot! Did I hear about a kitty named Catlinsky visiting the White House?
scotties rule.... April 17, 2009 8:10 PM
franklin roosevelt had three fala , duffy , and mr duffy. mrs roosevelt had one named meggie teddy roosevelt. bush had 2 , barney , miss beasley. among others..humphrey bogart, betty davis, ronald regan, shirley temple. lil mac
Cleopatra April 21, 2009 12:37 AM
Cats rule!!~~~ Socks was simply the best First Cat. He had a fun personality and brought joy to many childrens'(and adults') hearts... Hillary's book about him was wonderful, and so were the years when Socks and the Clintons "ruled"!
Sadly, Buddy the Lab came and the dufus handlers didn't have a clue how to introduce a new pup to an alpha Cat! Sad... when Socks left, you'll remember the White House had some "bad moon risin'" luck. Moral of the story: Never, ever 'diss the First Cat! (RIP~Socks). Peace & Love
Cleo April 21, 2009 1:00 AM
Dude, cat-haters are the most ignorant people in the world! "cats misbehave, no discipline, cool companions"??? Yes, they are the coolest companions!! Cats have lived with humans for thousands of years. In Egypt and Siam (Thailand) they were worshipped as gods and goddesses...and they've never forgotten that! They are intelligent, loyal (Oriental cats especially, Siamese, Bombay, Burmese), funloving, independent individuals...Cats can be very protective of their families or "owner"...cats are never really "owned"...like kids...and that's a good thing! Living with and petting a kitty can help you live longer; lower your BP and help with depression and illness. Cats have helped farmers for milleniums feed their families and communities by catching rats and other vermin. Do you know why millions of people died during the "Black Plague" of the Dark Ages in Europe? Revenge of the Kitties! The "Religious" Nutcases of the time thought cats were "evil" and had them killed and burned...just like lots of innocent women (with property!). So...the rats multiplied! And carried fleas everywhere to everyone...thus the deaths of millions of people due to the murder of all the cats!! Stupid, stupid people. By the way, I love dogs too. I have a Great Pyrenees (who will not "fetch" a ball or anything! Just like my kitties...too dignified!) And all of them love each other...my Maine Coon adores the big white furry dog and vice-versa! The End.
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