Many books have been published about the presidents’ pets. But only Millie can say that she’s the author of a best-selling book! Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush, is the story of life in the White House told from the dog’s point of view. 

Many books have been published about the presidents’ pets, but only Millie can say that she’s credited as the author of a best-selling book! Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush is a tale of life in the White House told from the unique perspective of the first dog.

When President Johnson found a family of white mice living in his White House bedroom, he didn’t set traps. Instead, he left out a little basket of flour and some water for them every night.

When President Johnson—the first president ever to be impeached—discovered a family of white mice living in his White House bedroom, he didn’t set traps. Instead, he left out a little basket of flour and some water for them every night. Today some people suggest that Johnson’s rodent friends show that the president was a little desperate for companionship during the dark days of his impeachment.

Coolidge’s raccoon, Rebecca, was the most famous of several raccoons that have lived at the White House. She arrived in 1926, when she was given to the first family as a gift. She was supposed to be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner. But the family fell in love with Rebecca and kept her as a pet!

Coolidge’s raccoon, Rebecca, was the most famous of several raccoons that have lived at the White House. She arrived there in 1926, when she was given to the first family by a supporter. She was intended to be eaten for Thanksgiving dinner at the White House. Instead, the family fell in love with Rebecca and kept her as a pet. She was a big hit at several White House events, like the Easter Egg Roll.

Socks was one of our nation’s most loved first pets. He was also a favorite of press photographers. They used catnip to try to get him closer to their cameras. When Socks had a moment away from the spotlight, one of his favorite places to nap was in the Oval Office.

Socks was one of our nation’s most beloved first pets. He was a particular favorite of press photographers, who reportedly used catnip to try to get him closer to their cameras. When Socks had a moment away from the spotlight, one of his favorite places to snooze was in the Oval Office.

Theodore Roosevelt is known as one of our most animal-loving presidents. He owned a lot of pets, like a small bear, a colorful parrot, and several snakes. His six children loved spending time with them!

Known as one of our most animal-loving presidents, Theodore Roosevelt unsurprisingly owned an impressive number of pets, including a small bear, a colorful macaw, and several snakes. His six children (it must have been a crowded White House!) also enjoyed spending time with their many animal companions.

Many of our presidents have received interesting—and sometimes exotic—animals as gifts. But tigers and elephants don’t usually wander around the White House. Often, the president donates large or dangerous animals to zoos.

Many of our nation’s presidents have received impressive—and sometimes exotic—animals as gifts from foreign officials. But tigers and elephants don’t usually get a chance to roam the halls of the White House; the president often donates large or dangerous animals to zoos.

The government tried to keep down costs during World War I (1914-1918). There was a shortage of workers too. So the president brought in sheep to eat the grass instead of having it cut! (Fun fact: The sheep’s wool was also cut and sold to raise money for the Red Cross War Fund.)

To keep the grass trimmed while reducing costs and manpower needs during World War I (1914-1918), the White House decided to get a herd of sheep and let them graze. And while the sheep’s wool wasn’t used to make Wilson’s winter sweaters, it was used to support the war effort. The presidential sheep were sheared and the wool was auctioned to raise money for the Red Cross War Fund.

Indoor poops weren’t the only messes Sunny made! Before leaving the White House, President Obama claimed he’d have to “clean things up a little bit” before President Donald Trump moved in. Why? Because Sunny (and her brother, Bo) “have been tearing things up occasionally.”

And it wasn’t just the occasional indoor poop! Before leaving the White House, President Obama claimed he’d have to “clean things up a little bit” before President Donald Trump moved in because Sunny (and her brother, Bo) “have been tearing things up occasionally.”

A woman named Daisy Suckley was appointed as Fala’s secretary. She helped him answer his fan mail! Fala’s letters—thousands of them—are now part of the Franklin D. Roosevelt Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, New York.

Fala was actually known as “The Informant.” Why? Because the presence of this distinct black Scottie informed others that the president wasn’t far away!

President Taft’s prized Holstein cow, Pauline Wayne, was also known as the “Queen of Capital Cows.” She produced a whopping 8 gallons of milk per day—so much that guests to the White House were able to buy small bottles of leftover milk. (Fun fact: While none of them was ever called the “provider-in-chief,” the rest of these productive pets did actually live at the White House!)

President Taft’s prized Holstein cow, Pauline Wayne, was also known as the “Queen of Capital Cows.” She produced a whopping 8 gallons of milk per day—so much that guests to the White House were able to buy small bottles of leftover milk. (Fun fact: While none of them was ever called the “provider-in-chief,” the rest of these productive pets did actually live at the White House!)