It could be a national catastrophe. No “first pet” in the White House? Come on, Donald Trump!
The businessman (turned president) keeps no dog, kitten or even a snake in his company — even though his son Barron is still in grade school, and can grow up having pretty much anything his heart desires.
Could a puppy be in the cards?
Looks that way: A booster in Florida offered the first family a 9-week-old goldendoodle Patton, aptly named after one of the president-elect’s favorite war heroes. Reportedly, the puppy was introduced to Barron and the two got along fabulously.
There is even precedent for an incoming president receiving a victory puppy, starting with Ronald Reagan and going down the list:
Ronald Reagan
President Reagan with Nancy Reagan and Dog Lucky in oval office. Source: Reagan Library
The Reagans had many pets in their care, including Victory — an adorable puppy given to the first family as a gift ahead of the president’s election as a symbol of well wishes.
Like with many of their animals, though, Victory was kept at the family’s Rancho del Cielo getaway along with their horses and other pets.
The Reagans and the favorite first pet. Source: Reagan Library
William F. Buckley gave the Reagans a Cavalier King Charles spaniel puppy named Rex. He was free to roam the White House and grab headlines at his leisure. Rex was able to keep reporters attention with his incessant barking and it was even reported that he took a trip to the vet in 1986.
They also had a Bouvier des Flandres named Lucky who was ultimately far too feisty for the proper confines of the White House, and was thus sent to the California ranch along with the others.
George H.W. Bush
George H.W. Bush with Millie’s pup on the White House lawn. Source: Presidential Pet Museum
President Reagan gifted his VP pick with a dog, Veep, a cute golden retriever who never really made headlines the way Mr. Bush’s pet springer spaniel, Millie.
We can’t make this up: Millie was a best-selling author. That’s according to the Presidential Pet Museum, who recalls Millie the spaniel’s other forays into media: Appearances that include guest spots on “Murphy Brown,” “Wings,” and “Who’s the Boss.” She also made a cameo appearance on the never-ending American parody “The Simpsons.”
Millie had a litter eventually, and one of her pups — Ranger — was said to have been President Bush’s favorite.
Bill Clinton
Bill Clinton and Socks the cat. Source: Presidential Pet Museum
President Bush Sr. didn’t have the only pet to become a star. His successor, Bill Clinton, brought Socks — a black and white stray cat to the White House who even had its own Super Nintendo / SEGA Genesis game!
Socks made it to Washington from Arkansas, where the cat reportedly leapt into the arms of Chelsea Clinton following her piano practice (and never looked back).
Three month old Buddy was trained at the White House, where he grew up with the Clintons. Source: Presidential Pet Museum
President Clinton also brought his Chocolate Lab Buddy from the governor’s mansion to the White House, claiming “It’s the President’s desire to have one loyal friend in Washington.”
George W. Bush
The president holds onto little Barney. Source: Presidential Pet Museum
Spot Fetcher, or just “Spot,” was actually another of the litter brought into the world by the elder Bush’s first pet Millie. Sort of carrying the sentiments of Clinton that the president needs a trusty loyal friend in office, President Bush would actually allow Spot to head into the Oval Office with him during important briefings.
“Spot understands the decorum of the Oval Office, so she gets to go in,” he is recalled as saying.
The first lady also had her own companion at the time, Miss Beazley, a Scottish Terrier who was best friends with the Bush’s other terrier, Barney.
Laura Bush with little Beazley. Source: Presidential Pet Museum
“Barney guarded the South Lawn entrance of the White House as if he were a Secret Service agent,” Bush said, according to the archives at the Presidential Pet Museums.
The first couple also had a cat in the White House who was named after a Texas Rangers ballplayer in the ’90s nicknamed “El Indio.”
Barack Obama
President Obama with Bo in the Oval Office
President Obama famously offered daughters Sasha and Malia a pet puppy should he go on to win the election — and win the election he did. A couple of breeders in Texas who were fans of the incoming president had a Portuguese Water Dog named “New Hope,” after the campaign slogan that helped him into office.
The late Sen. Ted Kennedy gifted the dog to Obama after he became victorious, who he would rename Bo, and the rest is history.
In the age of social media, Bo the dog quickly became a viral sensation and was a staple at the White House with the first family throughout both the president’s terms.
The first family also adopted a little sister for him named Sunny.
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