Random Presidents Had Crazy Pets (13 items)

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  (#1) Theodore Roosevelt

  • Dec. at 61 (1858-1919)

  It's possible that famed outdoorsman Teddy Roosevelt brought more pets to the White House than any other president. His furry friends included a bear named Jonathan Edwards, Bill the lizard, a badger named Josiah, a pig named Maude, a hyena, an owl, a garter snake named Emily Spinach, a rabbit, a blue macaw named Eli Yale, a one-legged rooster, a hen named Baron Spreckle, and a beloved pony named Algonquin. TR also had five guinea pigs: Admiral Dewey, Fighting Bob Evans, Bishop Doane, Father O'Grady, and Dr. Johnson. Roosevelt owned many dogs, too, including a bull terrier known to bite.
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  (#12) James Madison

  • Dec. at 85 (1751-1836)

  Widely credited with writing the Bill of Rights, President James Madison also owned a green macaw - or more accurately, his wife Dolley did. The First Lady named the bird Polly, and it often rode on her shoulder as she greeted guests at the White House.

  Extremely popular with visitors - especially young children - Polly loved swearing and once attacked a woman at the White House. Unfortunately, Polly met her end thanks to a hungry hawk.
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  (#7) William Howard Taft

  • Dec. at 73 (1857-1930)

  During William Howard Taft's time as president, no milk delivery companies existed in the capital. Luckily, Taft owned several cows in his lifetime and brought one named Mooly Wooly to the White House with him.

  When Mooly Wooly passed away, Taft adopted 4-year-old cow Pauline Wayne. She earned the nickname "Queen of the Capital Cows” and lived quite the life. Pauline became a celebrity, and the administration sold bottles of her milk for 50 cents each - with one man sneaking onto the White House lawn to steal milk from the cow. The New York Times even reported on Pauline's arrival at the White House.
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  (#8) Andrew Johnson

  • Dec. at 67 (1808-1875)

  President Andrew Johnson gained notoriety for being the first president ever impeached after illegally firing one of his cabinet members without Congressional approval. Becoming president after the assassination of Abraham Lincoln, Johnson didn't own any pets at first. During his impeachment process, however, Johnson found solace in a family of tiny white mice he discovered. He started feeding them and giving them water, slowly winning their trust. Johnson often referred to the mice as his "little fellows."

  Martha, the president's daughter, did not approve of this arrangement. She did everything possible to capture the mice, laying traps and poison around the house and bringing home several cats. Johnson continued caring for his little fellows despite their unpopularity, though their fate remains a mystery.
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  (#2) Calvin Coolidge

  • Dec. at 61 (1872-1933)

  One of the most bizarre pets to ever grace the White House was Rebecca, a raccoon belonging to President Calvin Coolidge. Sent to the White House for a Thanksgiving meal, Coolidge instead took a fancy to the little critter. He decided to pardon her and made Rebecca an official White House pet. Eating raccoons was a more common practice back then, with the papers expressing shock when Coolidge spared her.

  The Coolidges' love of animals encouraged people to ship bizarre creatures to the White House. During his time in office, Coolidge received a small hippopotamus, a Mexican black bear, and a pair of lion cubs - which he named "Tax Reduction" and "Budget Bureau."
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  (#13) William Henry Harrison

  • Dec. at 68 (1773-1841)

  William Henry Harrison holds the unfortunate distinction of serving the shortest amount of time in office as president. Harrison died only a month into his term due to a fatal illness he contracted at his inauguration.

  During Harrison's short tenure, his family kept two farm animals as pets: a cow named Sukey and a billy goat. According to rumors, Sukey even lived with the Harrison family long after the death of the president.

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