Presidential Pets

At the Presidential Pet Museum, you can learn about what current and former Presidents had for pets. In reviewing the list, most of them are/were pet lovers and some had several pets. The list is to long to mention every one but here are some of the more recent.

Barack Obama has a Portuguese water dog named Bo given to his children by Senator Ted Kennedy.

George W. Bush had several pets. A Scottish Terrier named Miss Beazley, an English Springer Spaniel named Spot, another Scottish Terrier named Barney, a cat named India and a Texas Longhorn named Ofelia.

Bill Clinton had a cat named Socks and a Labrador Retriever named Buddy.

George Bush had Millie and Ranger, two Springer spaniels.

Ronald Reagan had two dogs, Lucky and Rex (King Charles Cavalier Spaniel) and several cats.

Jimmy Carter had a dog named Grits and a Siamese cat named Misty Malarky Ying Yang.

Gerald Ford had a Golden Retriever named Liberty and a Siamese cat named Shan.

Richard Nixon had three dogs named Checkers, Vicky and King Timahoe.

Lyndon Johnson had two beagles, Him and Her, a white collie, Blanco and Yuki, a mongrel. He also had hamsters and lovebirds.

John Kennedy had may pets. Charlie, Caroline's Welsh Terrier, a cat named Tom Kitten, a canary named Robin, two parakeets, Bluebell and Marybelle, three ponies, Caroline's Macaroni, Tex and Leprechaun, two hamsters, Debbie and Billie, a rabbit named Zsa Zsa, Mrs. Kennedy's horse, Sardar and several dogs including Pushinka, Shannon and Clipper.

As you look back in time before the use of the automobile, many of the pets were horses. Many of our country's first Presidents were excellent horseman who enjoyed riding and hunting. Their horses were very cherished and were paid great tributes when they died.

The Presidential Pet Museum was founded in 1999 and is part of the President's Park located in Williamsburg, Virginia. The museum is a collection of pictures, stories and artifacts of these pets. You will be surprised on how many and what type of animals they had for pets. Some of the pets were given to them by foreign countries.

A President is no different than anybody else for having a pet. Many grew up with animals living on farms and ranches. A pet provides love and companionship that helps relieve stress. He could enjoy quality time with the pet without having to worry about the day to day care. They are/were very supportive to organizations related to animal care and well being.

It is very interesting learning about the different pets. Visiting the museum in Williamsburg can be very entertaining and educational.