Presidential Pets
As Sunny Obama makes his national debut, The Daily Beast looks back at presidential pets of the past. VIEW OUR GALLERY of the ponies, pooches, and raccoon of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
The Obamas’ new pup, Sunny, was all anyone could talk about after being introduced Monday—and she's not the first presidential pet to take the spotlight. From Barney Bush to Buddy Clinton and Rex Reagen, The Daily Beast looks back at creatures who've occupied the White House.
Bo and Sunny, the Obama family dogs, on the South Lawn of the White House on August 19, 2013 in Washington, D.C. Sunny arrived today at the White House from Michigan. She was born June 2012.
Pete Souza/White House via Getty Images
Malia Obama walks with new dog Bo, followed by President Barack Obama, Sasha Obama and first lady Michelle Obama on the South Lawn at the White House in Washington, Tuesday, April 14, 2009.
Charles Dharapak / AP Photo
George W. Bush's feisty Scottish terrier was at the center of several harrowing White House events, including being witness to Bush's notorious pretzel incident and an attack on a Reuters reporter near the end of Bush's term.
Rod Aydelotte, Pool / Getty Images
A chocolate brown Labrador, Buddy Clinton died young in 2002 when he was hit by a car. Buddy shared the White House with Socks, a spotted cat.
Susan Walsh / AP Photo
Poppy Bush and Barbara owned the most literary first dog in history. In 1992, Millie wrote a book—as told to the first lady.
Scott Applewhite / AP Photo
Reagan's King Charles spaniel bore the regal name Rex, Latin for king.
Pete Souza, White House / Getty Images
A mixed-breed dog, Grits was only a temporary pet for the Carter family, who returned him some time after the presidency ended.
AP Photo
Gerald Ford's lively golden retriever enjoyed swimming at Camp David.
David Hume Kennerly, White House / Getty Images
Though Checkers didn't make it to the White House (he died in the vice-presidential residence) he was the centerpiece of one of Nixon's most famous speeches. Nixon had three other dogs in the White House.
AP Photo
Lyndon Johnson was famous for beloved coterie of dogs, most famously a pair of beagles named Him and Her, and Yuki, the mixed-breed dog seen here.
Arnie Sachs, Consolidated News / Getty Images
Macaroni the Pony—whose presence officially made Caroline Kennedy the Luckiest Girl in America—grazed in the White House lawn. The Kennedys had several ponies, horses, and multiple dogs.
AP Photo
Mamie Eisenhower's Weimaraner, Heidi, poses with the first lady beside a portrait of Abraham Lincoln.
Ed Clark, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
A 1947 gift to Harry Truman, little Feller passed through several politically connected family's hands, despite mind-crushing adorableness.
Thomas D. Mcavoy, Time Life Pictures / Getty Images
FDR's beloved Scottie, Fala, rode in cars with the president and was frequently by his side.
AP Photo
A German shepherd, King Tut was among the few presidential dogs also trained to guard.
AP Photo, Hoover Library / AP Photo
The one and only first raccoon, Rebecca was the pet of animal lovers Calvin and Grace Coolidge, who also had cats, dogs, birds—and, briefly, a wallaby and a bear.
AP Photo
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