Presidential Pets: Dogs, Cats, Horses And Alligators, Oh My!

Elephants and donkeys aren't the only animals who've played a role in the sometimes zoo-like atmosphere of the White House. First pets like the Clintons' cat Socks and the Obamas' Bo, the Portuguese water dog, have been almost as famous as their owners — and probably had higher approval ratings.

Animal friends have helped humanize presidents during difficult times. Most famously, Richard Nixon, before he became president, said in a televised, 30-minute speech on Sept. 23, 1952, that he, as a vice presidential candidate for Dwight D. Eisenhower, did not misuse any campaign contributions despite accusations from his opponents. However, he said one campaign gift, a cocker spaniel named Checkers, would be staying with the Nixons and their two young daughters. Checkers died in 1964 and never got to live in the White House, but the president is said to have kept dog biscuits in his desk drawer for Timahoe, Pasha and Vicky, future family pets, according to the Presidential Pet Museum.

From alligators to roosters, from pigs to raccoons, animals of various fur and feather have occupied the White House and the nation's hearts over the years. (Current President Trump does not have a pet.)

Below, check out Patch's video recapping some famous and not-so-famous first pets.

Photo: The Clintons' cat, Socks, at the White House briefing room podium. Credit: Barbara Kinney - Clinton Presidential Library & Museum/ Public Domain/ Wikimedia Commons