The transition of power in the United States is unique. No matter how contemptuous a campaign, the day after an election, sides to get together to ensure that when the new administration comes into play (January 20th), government continues to run without missing a beat. Given the economic challenges we all face, this is especially true for President-Elect Obama and his administration.

Then, there is the lighter side of a transition. Making the press conference was mention of the Obama family need for a family dog. It reminded me of an article that ran in the Farmers’ Almanac about the more unusual  pets kept at the White House over the years. Lewis & Clark presented Thomas Jefferson with a grizzly bear which was kept outside the White House in a cage. 

President Andrew Johnson’s daughter brought with her two Jersey cows to ensure a fresh supply of milk. It is rumored that John Quincy Adams let his pet alligator reside in a White House bathtub. President Calvin Coolidge had several “unusual pets” including  two raccoons, a bobcat and a donkey.  Carolyn Kennedy’s horse could be seen grazing on a White House lawn.

I guess one little ‘ole dog  won’t be too much to handle.

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White House, Animals in White House, Pets