Blount and Beyond Online Magazine - Magazine - Page 24
Presidents’ Pets
Strange and Unusual Pets
Most United States presidents have kept pets while in o昀케ce. Only James K. Polk and Andrew Johnson did not have any
presiden}al pets while in o昀케ce. However, Johnson did take care of some mice he found in his bedroom. He lev 昀氀our out
at night for a family of white mice playing in his room.
In addi}on to tradi}onal pets like dogs and cats, some animals normally considered livestock, working animals and wild
animals have belonged to presidents or their families. Presidents have oven been given exo}c animals from foreign
dignitaries; they are usually donated to a zoo.
George Washington had horses used during the American Revolu}on while he was president. President John Adams also
had horses, Cleopatra and Caesar, carriage horses, along with other horses, he also had Rozinante, Nellie Cus}s9s horse.
President Thomas Je昀昀erson had two cub bears as pets. President John Quincy Adams had
an alligator given to him by the Marquis de Lafaye琀琀e. The gator lived in a Whitehouse
bathroom, leaving some guests terri昀椀ed. Adams9 wife Mrs. Louisa Adams kept Silkworms in
the Whitehouse.
President Andrew Jackson had a horse named Sam Patch, and racing 昀椀llies named Emily,
Lady Nashville, and Bolivia, along with Thruxton, a champion racehorse and several ponies.
President Mar}n Van Buren had a pair of }ger cubs given to him by the Sultan of Oman that Congress made him send to
the zoo.
President Zachary Taylor had Old Whitey, a war}me mount and Apollo, a former circus pony. President John Tyler, 18411845 had a horse named