A White House Dog-and-Pony Show

Since 1800, when John and Abigail Adams became the first residents of what we now call the White House, lots of pets also have called it home. The Adamses started things off with two dogs, Juno and Satan, and built stables for horses.

Over two centuries, the mansion at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. has welcomed all sorts of animals, from an alligator to wolfhounds. In size, these creatures have ranged from silkworms to an elephant (he only visited, though, and lived at the zoo).

Some of these pets were faithful companions, some helped shape public opinion about their owners, and some were ambassadors for good causes.

In the early 1900s, Theodore Roosevelt's children nearly turned the White House into an ark. Besides dogs and cats, they had a pony and horses, some sheep, a macaw, guinea pigs, rats, snakes, a badger and a one-legged rooster.

Once, when 13-year-old Archie Roosevelt was very sick, his brother Quentin brought their pony, Algonquin, upstairs in the White House elevator to cheer him.

In 1863, Tad Lincoln interrupted a wartime Cabinet meeting to plead with his father to spare the life of a turkey that was about to become Christmas dinner. Abraham Lincoln did as 10-year-old Tad wished, pardoning the bird.

You can learn more about White House pets in an exhibit at the White House Visitor Center, 1450 Pennsylvania Ave. The center is open daily from 7:30 a.m. to 4 p.m. The exhibit is free and runs through March 9.

Exactly one year from today, a new president will be inaugurated and move into the White House. Maybe some new pets will move in, too.

-- Marylou Tousignant