Presidential Pets Trivia Quiz

Answer: Millie (dog)

"Millie's Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush" is a children's book written in 1990 by former First Lady, the late Barbara Bush. The book is written with a dog's eye view of life in the White House as "seen" by Millie the presidential pet English Springer Spaniel.

Answer: Gabby (parakeet)

Gabby was an apparent misnomer for President Eisenhower's parakeet as he wasn't known to be very vocal, a far cry from Old Hickory's profane parrot. When Gabby died the White House gardener buried him and an asbestos marker bears his name.

Answer: Rebecca (raccoon)

Rebecca was sent to President Calvin Coolidge by a group of supporters with the intention of being the First Family's main course for their 1926 Thanksgiving dinner. Coolidge adamantly declared that he "had no appetite for raccoon" and so Rebecca became the White House pet.

She had a collar with "White House Raccoon" embroidered on it as well as her own custom made house but she was free to wander around the White House and roam trees on the property. She was known to knock over plants, unscrew jars and one of her favorite activities was playing in a partially filled bathtub with a bar of soap.

She became the star of the 1927 Easter Egg Roll. Rebecca ruled the roost until her retirement to Rock Creek Park when Coolidge left office.

Answer: Josiah (badger)

Josiah, Josh for short, was given to Teddy Roosevelt by a little girl during his American Railroad tour of the West. Josh became a favorite pet of Roosevelt's son Archie who would often be seen walking around the grounds holding Josh around the waist.

When the President expressed concern that the badger could nip the youngster in the face Archie was quick to insist Josiah would only bite legs never faces. Eventually the badger's demeanour became a bit less people friendly and the Roosevelts donated him to the Bronx Zoo.

However, they did make a point of visiting him frequently to make sure he didn't suffer from "abandonment issues".

Answer: Murray the Outlaw of Falahill (dog)

Murray the Outlaw of Falahill, better known as simply Fala, was President Franklin Roosevelt's beloved Scottish Terrier. Fala became FDR's constant companion and was often photographed at meetings and events with other world leaders. The Secret Service dubbed the dog "The Informer" because if you saw Fala it was a sure thing that the President was nearby.

Answer: Him (dog)

President Lyndon Johnson created a stir when he was photographed lifting his dog, Him, by the ears. Phone calls, telegrams and letters from appalled dog lovers came flooding in. Johnson failed to understand the problem but, nonetheless, issued a public apology. Johnson claimed it was common practice to tug a Beagle's ears before a hunt to test whether the dog was in "good voice". Of course, it didn't help too much when he told reporters after his apology "I've been pulling Him's ears since he was a pup, and he seemed to like it." Apparently the incident remained a "bone of contention" for over fifty years and in 2015 the American Kennel Club published an article terming the episode "Beaglegate".

Answer: Zsa Zsa (rabbit)

Zsa Zsa was a white rabbit given to the Kennedy's by a magician when she apparently grew too chubby to be pulled out of her hat. It wasn't any wonder that she had a weight problem given her fondness for beer!

Answer: Whiskers (goat)

Old Whiskers was Benjamin Harrison's pet goat who could frequently be seen pulling a cart transporting a grandchild or two around the White House lawn. One day, for some unknown reason, Whiskers became "spooked" and bolted down Executive Avenue. The President's grandson, Benjamin McKee, was treated to quite a ride! The President went in hot pursuit and managed to grab the bridle before Whiskers reached a construction excavation site.

A pretty well-winded President was relieved to see that little Benjamin was "unconcerned as could be".

Answer: Jack (turkey)

As part of a riverfront restoration in 2005 the Lincoln Financial Group sponsored 16 sculptures along the Connecticut River. The sculptures commemorate the life and achievements of President Lincoln. One of the sculptures is a rather formal depiction of Jack designed by New York artist Philip Grausman. Jack was originally given to the First Family as a gift for Christmas dinner however, the ever indulgent President pardoned the turkey at the behest of his son Tad.

Answer: Pauline Wayne (cow)

Pauline Wayne, President Taft's prize Holstein cow, kept the White House supplied with fresh milk and butter. She was a media sensation with more than 20 stories printed about her from 1910 to 1912. Taft happily obliged when Pauline was invited to make a personal appearance at the 1911 International Dairyman's Exposition in Milwaukee.

The White House issued a frantic APB when she went missing along the way. The railroad crew had mistakenly attached her special car to a group of regular cattle cars bound for the Chicago Stockyards.

After that Taft declined all future invitations.