The former Rough Rider kept a collection of pets at the White House that included a badger, five bears, a raccoon, two cats, named Tom Quart and Slippers, a cocker spaniel named Manchu, a Boston Bull Terrier named Pete, a Black Scottie named Fala, a mutt named Skip, rats, five guinea pigs, named Dewey Senior, Dewey Junior, Bob Evans, Bishop Doan, and Father O’Grady, a green garter snake named Emily Spinach, a calico pony named Algonquin, a horned toad, lizards, a lion, a hyena, rabbits, parrots, an owl, and roosters.
Although Teddy had a zoo full of pets to choose from, he had a particular fondness for his mixed breed named Skip.
He was described by Roosevelt as his “little dog--and by that I mean a little of this, and a little of that.” Skip had a wide body, short legs, terrier like ears, and a hound like nose, with a short, hard blond coat. This little mutt measured 18 inches to the shoulder. What he lacked in breeding, Skip made up for in spirit. Roosevelt claimed that the dog had spirit enough to stand up against a bear, knowing that the president would be there to back him up.
Even though Skip had spirit and spunk to spare, his awkward physique often got the best of him. His short, stubby legs often had trouble keeping up with Roosevelt on riding trips. The president refused to leave his struggling canine behind, and would stop to let the dog jump onto the horse. Soon after that, the clever dog learned to jump up onto the horse and ride alone. The site of a dog riding unassisted atop a horse seemed quite unbelievable to visitors of the White House.
Skip died the year prior to the president leaving office. The president sadly watched his burial behind the White House. Roosevelt’s wife knew how much the dog meant to him, so after finishing his second term, she had Skip’s body exhumed. The dog was transported to the family’s estate in Sagamore Hill, and laid to rest. She explained her actions to puzzled members of the press by stating “Teddy couldn’t bear to leave him there beneath the eyes of presidents who might care nothing for the little mutt dog.”
Roosevelt ‘s other pets caused their fair share of mischief around the White House. Pete, the feisty Boston Bull Terrier, raised more than a few eyebrows when he nearly ripped the pants off a French Ambassador. The Calico pony named Algonquin became famous for riding in the White House elevator. But not all Roosevelt’s pets were inclined to mischief. Sailor Boy, a playful Chesapeake Retriever, would happily swim behind the boat when Roosevelt took his children out on the river.
Teddy Roosevelt spent many happy hours enjoying the company of his pets. Perhaps, they gave him comfort. Perhaps they relieved the pressures that come with running a nation. Regardless of the reason, Roosevelt and his animal companions enjoyed many happy and humorous moments during their stay at the White House.
Theodore Roosevelt was born on October 27, 1858 and died January 6, 1919. He served as president from 1901-1909. Roosevelt won the Nobel Peace Prize in 1906 for mediating a war between Russia and Japan. He was the youngest president in history at not quite 43.
