Vegetarian Star

Regardless of who you’re voting for today, you can’t disagree that it hasn’t been an interesting four years in the White House on Pennsylvania Street.

Especially for the First Dog.

Initially, some were opposed to Bo Obama‘s presence in the Oval Office because he is indeed a breed.

But as months and years went by and many cute photographs were shot (thankfully, for blogs and other websites–public domain photographs like this one), even the staunchest shelter mutt-only proponent softened his heart, knowing Bo made Sasha, Malia, Barack and Michelle happier humans, not to mention a country that enjoyed being updated on his life amid stories of a bad economy, health care worries and other woes.

Almost every President has kept pets at the White House, some more exotic and interesting than shelter or breed dogs. Just take a look at a few of the First Animals that have occupied some of the highest positions a pet can hold.

Clinton: Sox the Cat was commonly referred to as “Executive Cat.” Sox has issues with the First Dog Buddy, but it’s unknown if he exercised any veto powers on him.

Roosevelt: Today he might be known as the “Paris Hilton of pets owners” as Teddy kept numerous pets on the property, including dogs, cats, ponies, a pig, a badger, guinea pigs, a zebra, a barn owl, and a raccoon.

Coolidge: A skunk was brought to the Coolidges that was meant to be served for Thanksgiving dinner. Mrs. Coolidge absolutely refused and had a pen built outside for it to live instead. Could it be classified as one of the first early (1920s) animal sanctuaries?

Hayes: Rutherford may have invented the concept of pet immigration. He owned three cats–Siam, Piccolomini, and Miss Pussy. Siam was the first Siamese cat to enter the United States. She was sent as a gift by a U.S. diplomat living in Bangkok as a gift to the family in 1878.

For more Presidential pet stories, visit Tails Inc.

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