by RS Coolidge

Created on: January 20, 2009   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

President elect Barack Obama's recent decision to adopt a dog brought a lot of attention to the role that pets serve in the White House. The role of 'pet in chief' has been held by all sorts of animals over the years and , many times , the pets provided insights into the Presidents that owned them. This article will discuss three presidents, the pets they owned and how the pets provided clues about their masters.

Abraham Lincoln had a soft spot for his children. So when his son Tad wanted to adopt a very unusual pet, a turkey, Abe couldn't say no. However, Abe also had his own agenda. The wise President believed that his son Tad would tire of the turkey by the time Thanksgiving came around. However, when Thanksgiving came,Tad objected to 'Jack the Turkey' being turned into dinner. Tad put up such a persuasive argument for the turkey's life that his father consented and granted the turkey a pardon. Lincoln's pardoning of the turkey solidified his reputation as a benevolent and compassionate leader. It also allowed for a new national tradition to be born, the president's Thanksgiving pardoning of two turkeys.

Theodore Roosevelt had a reputation as a genuine outdoors man. His love of hunting, however, did not make him an animal hater. In fact, as president he owned a genuine army of pets. Among his pets were horses, dogs, snakes, hyenas and even bears. Such a wide assortment of animals, many of which went beyond the normal conventions of how pets were defined, fit perfectly the reputation Teddy Roosevelt had as an eccentric maverick.

George H W Bush holds a unique honor among Presidential pet owners. His pet, a springer spaniel named Millie, is the only pet to have written a book. The book, titled Millie's Book: as dictated to Barbara Bush, provided a Dog's eye view into the White House. Perhaps it was fitting that George H W Bush's administration was being viewed through the eyes of a dog. A terrible recession that defined his administration put him in the doghouse with voters resulting in his failed re-election bid.

A president's pet can tell us much about the man. I guess time will tell what Barack Obama's new pet will say about him. For now, Barack's dog can only say 'woof'.

Learn more about this author, RS Coolidge.
Click here to send this author comments or questions.