Thu, Feb 23, 2023 LOGIN Subscribe for $1 A small dog that spent a decade tormenting a crocodile on her owner's property in Australia has been eaten by the animal she taunted for so long. President William H. Taft's prized pets were two cows: one named Mooly Wooly, the other named Pauline. Of course, there are also some downsides to owning a crocodile as a pet. Like most teenage parents, the two eventually figured out what to do with the kids: let someone else deal with them. There was a problem loading your book clubs. Formerly a Union general and Civil War hero, President Ulysses S. Grant was one of the most prolific pet owners in White House history. The last thing the White House needs is another dog, damn it. "Russell Harrison's Alligator Didn't Influence His Friends' Luck." Main Menu. Now what exactly does one do with the gift of a live alligator, you might ask? In terms of the nominations, Theodore Roosevelt is tied with Franklin D. Roosevelt. President Martin van Buren fought Congress to keep two tiger cubs. Martin van Buren, Jackson's successor, was also gifted wild beasts as a pet by a foreign dignitary. Australian researchers have found the 95-million-year-old remains of a crocodile that had eaten a dinosaur before it died. The General, a horse After a buttery-soft Taft left office, Pauline--the last cow ever to call the White House home--was shipped back to Wisconsin. My grandson loves alligators, crocodiles. It created a bit of a cult . Jensen, Amy La Follette. 19 February 2018. We like to imagine Adams leaning to a trusted adviser and asking, "Why do you suppose I am so despised in the Congress?" Among them were a pair of mongrel dogs named Juno and Satan, and a horse named Cleopatra. There were six races on the program when the party from the White House reached the pool lawn and began to invest their money, but somehow luck seemed to be dead against them. But in 1903, one little girl--perhaps the most awesome little girl ever born--decided to throw a badger. That aligns with the roughly 85 million U.S. families who own a pet, which makes up 67% of American households, according to the 2019-2020 National Pet Owners Survey from the American Pet Products Association. They are also very intelligent creatures, and can even be trained to perform tricks. When a cat jumped onto the stage while Jill Biden was giving a speech, the first lady fell in love with the fur ball. Boyd, L.M. She gave birth to Spotty, who moved into the White House with the seocond President Bush! But this wasnt the last alligator to saunter into the White House. In November 1926 President Calvin Coolidge pardoned a live animal intended for his Thanksgiving dinner and adopted it as a pet. Over the course of the next 25 years, Billy got busy getting busy with Hannah. Crocodiles are one of the most feared animals in the world. , ISBN-13 which president had a pet crocodile. [16] This made Spotty the first animal to live in the White House under two different administrations, having been born there in 1989 and . Old Ike was not a member. It can still kill any human who directly interacts with it, which is why knowledgeable keeper. 1922. Screen grab from viral video. President Donald Trump won the 2016 election by promising, in part, to "drain the swamp" in Washington, D.C.,a vow that prompted GOP pundit Newt Gingrich to serve notice on fellow Washingtonians that "the alligators should be worried.". The list of "dangerous animals . (Although that was nothing compared with Roosevelts bulldog Pete, who almost caused an international incident when he tore the pants off a French ambassador.). 4. It's not just exotic animals like tigers, alligators, and parrots that have made the White House their home. Crocodiles have an image problem in the Philippines. Follow authors to get new release updates, plus improved recommendations. This time, it was two tiger cubs, given to him by the Sultan of Oman. only to have the adviser's answer cut off by a Congressman running from the bathroom, his pants around his knees and shrieking, "AAAAHHHRRRGGHH!! John Quincy Adams was the sixth president of the United States of America and Lafayette was a revolutionary war hero. Nixon loved them both as a pet and for their playful nature, which he valued. 2. Other presidents have bought farmyard animals to live on the grounds of 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue: Woodrow Wilson had a flock of sheep, and JFK's daughter had a pony. 1. September 5, 2013 By Presidential Pet Museum. Great Falls Tribune. An Australian man's pet crocodile in the Northern Territory ate his beloved dog after she spent a decade tormenting it, and onlookers watched in horror. Please try your request again later. After having hid Pocho in a covered pond nearby for some time, Chito tried to release the animal back into the wildbut Pocho refused to leave! The author was able to properly name every president except the current one. An Indonesian family is happily living with their 440-pound pet crocodile. June 14, 2022 . Unable to add item to List. Will you climb mountains and cross deserts to save the Sheriffs horse? The animal was finally caught and returned to the White House lawn, and everyone shook their head, smiled and thought about what an amusing story it would make for future comedy websites. AN ALLIGATOR HAS JUST TRIED TO EAT MY NOBLE SCROTUM!". They then stuffed both corpses and threw them up for display, probably to serve as an example and a warning to all other bears. . The raccoon was also leashed a few times. First Lady Grace Coolidge holds the family's pet raccoon, Rebecca, at a White House event. Please try again. A fisherman who rescued a crocodile 22 years ago before taming it is now trying to train another after his 'pet' sadly passed away. Irwan, the reptile's owner, said he bought the animal 20 years ago from local fishermen who . K - 12th grade. Start the day smarter Take our news quiz . : Customer Reviews, including Product Star Ratings help customers to learn more about the product and decide whether it is the right product for them. As to the claim that alligators roamed the White House grounds during Herbert Hoover's administration, we can report more definitively that it is false. 3 years ago. To cut lawn-cutting costs in the White House during World War I, President Woodrow Wilson brought in a flock of sheep to graze the lawns and keep the grass trim. The top prize is possibly the most bizarre (and potentially dangerous) of all. When John Quincy Adams was a guest, he used a crocodile to scare them. When the Coen Brothers needed someone to show The Dude how to really roll, they could turn to only one man: Hall of Fame professional bowler Barry Asher, Many interesting behind-the-scenes bits have happened during the 20 years of telling tales about our favorite trailer-park residents, Bobs never bought Christmas seals he told me he wouldnt know what to feed them. Bettmann, via Getty Images. Or find out about some adorable animals that can totally kick your ass in The 6 Cutest Animals That Can Still Destroy You. Reptile City is the perfect place for reptile enthusiasts of all levels of interest and expertise. 5 September 2013. The wife of John Quincy Adams, the sixth president, had silkworms.Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, had an opossum.And Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, had a raccoon named Rebecca that walked on a leash!. But they took a liking to the animal and instead she became a beloved if mischievous family pet. They were speaking metaphorically, of course, about Trump's intention to rid the federal government of corruption and waste. The two made lousy parents, culminating in the death of their third child when Hannah rolled over and crushed it. Associated Press. That was Herbert Hoover's son, Allan, according to the historical footnotes. She was a gift from a Wisconsin senator who presumably thought the always hungry president would slaughter the cow and invite him over for steaks on the grill. Sorry, there was a problem loading this page. If there was ever a creature that hated spending time at the White House more than George W. Bush, it was Old Whiskers. Tipping the scales at a weighty 300+ pounds, it seems only fitting the 27th president of the United States would have a cow as his first pet. While she spent her days being pregnant, Billy continued to sew his wild oats with another hippo gal pal, Matilda, who popped out an additional eight kids. During his many travels, he was gifted many things both practical, conventional and unconventional. Old Whitey was a revered war horse while Apollo was reported to be a former circus pony. President Barack Obama adopted Portuguese water dogs Bo and Sunny during his two terms, and he was often seen walking them on the White House lawn with his family. Spotty, the English springer spaniel of President George W. Bush, runs through the White House lawn with a tennis ball. By clicking Sign up, you agree to receive marketing emails from Insider by Romero Esposito | Dec 30, 2022 | Crocodiles. Presidential pets have bounded back into the conversation this week after Joe Biden was named the winner of the 2020 election over Donald Trump by the Associated Press and other major U.S. news organizations. CTRL + SPACE for auto-complete. . He also provided them quarters by hanging gourds in trees. But President Adams wasn't the only commander-in-chief with an unusual pet. Even Crocodylus can turn out to be a great name for your pet! Most of us imagine cats, dogs, birds or even fishes, when we hear the word pet. In mainstream Filipino society crocodiles are considered dangerous man-eaters, and compared with corrupt government officials or selfish . 3. His six kids had snakes, dogs, cats, a badger, birds, guinea pigs, and more. For years Pippa the terrier would bark, snap and chase away Casey the saltwater . Quentin's animal adventures didn't end there. Here's how that story was synopsized in a 1997 syndicated trivia column by L.M. I have been keeping reptiles as pets for over 20 years, and I have also worked with reptiles in zoos and nature centers. blue shield of northeastern ny customer service number which president had a pet crocodile. Presidential Trivia DRAFT. Due to the lack of any concrete evidence that the sixth president of the United States ever had an alligator, although its not impossible, its highly unlikely that the pet alligator story was true. me dice amor y no somos nada? Billy the Pygmy Hippo found his way to the White House via Liberia after he was captured there by Harvey Firestone, maker of Firestone tires. In fact, there are unproven rumors of President John Quincy Adams keeping a pet alligator in the East Room's bathroom in the White house. 2 When the family had to vacate the White House during the 1927 roof renovation, Rebecca moved with them to the . Answer (1 of 37): I do understand what you're trying to ask. In turn, she provided raw milk (and possibly crippling diarrhea) to the first family for the last three years of Taft's presidency. It also records that both the alligator among other things he gives he got while traveling were stored in the east room of the white house. He has had it for 20 years. 10 February 1921. Whats our next move? Cheryl Barnes is one of those rare people you meet who is doing it all, and in Cheryl's case, with style and grace. Senator Trammell carried word to White House offices today that President-elect Harding had already accepted a "fair sized 'gator" from Henry Hennett, of Jacksonville. As an official gift, Obama was given crocodile insurance, which would have paid out A$50,000 to his wife, Michelle, if the president had been attacked by a crocodile. Our U.S. presidents had all kinds of pets--lots of dogs and cats, of course--but they also had some very strange pets. So there is the question of where the alligator came from and according to the website snopes.com, the only written record they came across was The White House and Its 33 Families by Amy La Follette Jensen. Yes, all of them. yahoo psmpackersandmovers@gmail.com; eric bass developer net worth Facebook mcguire's irish pub recipes Twitter ochosi day of the week Youtube Top subscription boxes right to your door, 1996-2023, Amazon.com, Inc. or its affiliates, Children's Alligator & Crocodile Books (Books), Children's American Historical Fiction (Books), Learn more how customers reviews work on Amazon. Herbert Hoover, the 31st president, had an opossum. Bookmark. I have not recommended it to anyone and do not intend to do so! "A poignant coming-of-age tale with a compelling mystery at its heart." Some were given exotic pets by foreign dignitaries, with President John Quincy Adams keeping an alligator in a bathtub. It is believed that he stored the alligator in the east room bathtub of the White House. George W. and Laura Bushs Scottish terrier Barney became a star in his own right in 2002 after he was featured in the White House Christmas video, and the Barney Cam co-starring fellow terrier Miss Beazley became an annual White House tradition during Bushs tenure. In 1964, he raised controversy when he was photographed hoisting one of them by the ears. ProStarSolar > Blog Classic > Uncategorized > which president had a pet crocodile. They also have a very long lifespan, so owners need to be prepared to care for them for many . As the saying goes, behind every myth is a story about something that happened to inspire it. During Andrew Johnsons presidency, he kept mice in the White House and fed them to them. Hilarity ensued when members of Congress and others asked to be excused to use the lavatory. Zookeepers were able to breed them and breed them some more, to the point that the majority of pygmy hippos in captivity today are direct descendants of Billy. Your membership is the foundation of our sustainability and resilience. Upon moving in at 1600 Pennsylvania, Old Whiskers got busy thinking of a way to make the president look like a dumbass. You're listening to a sample of the Audible audio edition. Many workers were overseas, so the sheep cut the lawn by eating the grass. In the end, Congress won and the cubs were removed from the White House and placed in a Washington zoo. Access your favorite topics in a personalized feed while you're on the go. (AD) "Weird But True Know-It-All: U.S. Presidents". Upton, Harriet Taylor. The sad reality is that the embrace of animal affection after a difficult presidential campaign did not calm down. 1995 - 2023 by Snopes Media Group Inc. Peter is a journalist and broadcaster who reports on public policy issues in Washington, D.C. Peter and Cheryl have two children and live in Alexandria, Virginia. Photograph by Paul Morse, AFP, Getty Images. Actually, make food a whole lot better too. Get the best of Cracked sent directly to your inbox! Although the story is highly circulated they have been no evidence to back it up. Learn more. Save. June 10, 2022 . Sorry, your blog cannot share posts by email. State law prohibits individuals from owning any "dangerous animal" except for those kept at a zoo, research lab, veterinary hospital, animal refuge or federally licensed exhibit. Schwartz, Thomas F. "Not a Croc: The Hoover Alligators." New pill cuts cholesterol, heart attacks, Nikki Haley tells CPAC audience she cant believe that Biden is letting China get away with so much, Ron DeSantis skips CPAC, says Republicans act like potted plants when facing woke ideology. The raccoon was later named Rebecca, and the first lady, Grace, would walk her on a bedazzled leash. I am Romero Esposito, and I am passionate about reptiles. According to www.whitehousepets.com, the alligator was given to him by Marquis de Lafayette. Owner Kai . There's a wee grain of truth in that (as we learned from theblogof the Herbert Hoover Library and Museum), but the fact is that Hoover's son, who graduated from Stanford University the same year his father was elected and went straight from there to Harvard Business School, never resided at the White House. Willow, U.S. President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden's new pet cat, is seen in a White House handout photo as she wanders . Nixons other dogs were frequently seen playing with the lively Pasha. A MediaComms.IO company. President Lyndon Johnson had two pet beagles, Him and Her. We earn $400,000 and spend beyond our means. 0. And Calvin Coolidge, the 30th president, had a raccoon named Rebecca that walked on a leash! 0. All rights reserved. Presidents George W. Bush and Barack Obama both had a ton of animals, some of which were quite bizarre. David Emery is a Portland-based writer and editor with 25 years of experience fact-checking rumors, hoaxes, and contemporary legends. Snopes and the Snopes.com logo are registered service marks of Snopes.com. Edit. He was the president of a crime organization called Baroque Works . The boys would tie carts or kitchen chairs to the goats and race them around the White House, sometimes interrupting formal receptions. So where did she get it? Crocodiles have powerful jaws with many conical teeth and short legs with clawed webbed toes. Please try again. Among the best-loved was a raccoon called Rebecca. In fact, most modern presidents have owned cats and dogs. Whatever the case, Adams certainly knew just what to do with the reptiles: He put them in the White House bathtub, then invited government officials to his place. Favorite Presidential Pets. Above: A hippo, probably fucking something. They share a unique body form that allows the eyes, ears, and nostrils to be above the water . , Item Weight What ensued was a wild goat chase down Pennsylvania Avenue, involving the grandchildren and the president himself, clutching his top hat and holding his cane as his constituents pointed and laughed. Woodrow Wilson kept sheep on the White House grounds to help with lawn care during his presidency. Peter and Cheryl Barnes are a husband and wife writing/illustrating team that specializes in educational books for children. Write CSS OR LESS and hit save. But more than dogs have lived in the White House. The flock not only saved the administration the trouble of mowing the lawn, but Wilson sold the wool to raise money for the American Red Cross during World War I. Republican presidential hopeful Nikki Haley speaks at the annual Conservative Political Action Conference that's taking place just outside Washington, D.C. Nicole Lyn Pesce is News Editor, Trending at MarketWatch and is based in New York. Joe and Jill Biden plan to bring their German shepherds Champ and Major with them to the White House in January 2021, and many people reacted with joy that there would be pets in the White House again after Trump became the first president in more than 100 years to eschew keeping a furry or feathered friend. lisa robertson local steals and deals today. Deasy Tuwo, who ran a . According to some reports, he enjoyed using the gator to scare his guests.". CNN cited a Mental Floss article by Ethan Trex that stated, "The sixth president also had a pet gator. Van Buren argued that they had been given to him and that he wanted to keep them. We weren't surprised to learn that it's been making the rounds for more than a hundred years. Caroline and the pony featured in a Life magazine spread on the first family, and singer-songwriter Neil Diamond claimed that the images inspired his hit song "Sweet Caroline.". As others have said, of course even a tame tiger or wolf is still a wild animal, and NEVER trustworthy the way a domesticated animal would be. You might suspect that Old Whiskers was a nickname for the 23rd president, a stodgy ol' coot with more than a passing resemblance to Obi Wan Kenobi but it was in fact the name of the goat he shared an address with, which was given to Ben's grandchildren by the ol' coot himself. No more changing the clocks? Dorre, Howard. It was a gift from Revolutionary War hero Marquis de Lafayette. Needless to say, the bears were good and pissed off upon arrival. The president and first lady accepted a puppy as a gift from one of their friends, Senator Edward Kennedy. Willow is the first kitty to pounce, play, and nap at the White House since 2009, when former President George W. Bush's black cat, India, ruled the residence. June 7, 2018 / 9:42 AM / CBS News. We have to assume that the whole affair took place in fast-motion while somebody played "Yakety Sax" in the background. All Rights Reserved. Anyway, he went about his business on the White House lawn, boinking the sheep until there were 18 of 'em, munching away at the grass and supplying wool which was auctioned off to help the Salvation Army, a group whose beliefs prevented members from drinking and smoking. President Theodore Roosevelt's eldest son, Teddy Jr., holds a macaw named Eli circa 1902. Bo, the Obamas' dog, sits in the grass at the White House. The Good, the Bad and the Sheriff's Horse: a choose the page StoryQuest adventure. There's a certain irony to capturing and enslaving an animal from a country that was founded by freed slaves from the United States, but we digress Firestone believed the pygmy hippo would make a wonderful gift for President Coolidge, already a collector of strange and exotic pets.