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7 Presidential Pets That Can Count On Our Vote

Angela Vuckovic
by Angela Vuckovic
February 18th, 2018 12:00 AM
7 presidential pets that can count on our vote
It’s not easy being the head of the state, but it seems that many presidents found having a pet helps take some stress out of the job.


Although there currently is no pet living in the White House (for the first time in over 150 years!), animal companions are a regular occurrence in the presidential residence. The grounds have seen some very unusual furry, scaly, and feathery friends and, more than once, presidents have even kept their own private zoos.


Take a look at some of the most interesting and adorable pets that called White House their home!


Richard Nixon, 1969-1974



No, these pretty pooches weren’t famous for their modelling career, but for their family. Nixon’s family pets were named King Timahoe ( Irish Setter), Vicky ( Poodle), and Pasha ( Yorkshire Terrier). Fun fact: Pasha is still the only Yorkie First Pet.


Benjamin Harrison, 1889 – 1893



Benjamin Harrison’s goat Whiskers was his grandchildren’s favorite- and you can see why. Additionally, the 23rd president had a Collie named Dash and a pair of opossums: Mr. Reciprocity and Mr. Protection.


Calvin Coolidge, 1923-1929



Apparently, this adorable girl was sent to the White House to be served for the 1926 Thanksgiving dinner (which is very weird and creepy)- but the president Calvin Coolidge and his wife decided to keep her as a pet. She was quite mischievous and loved nothing more than playing during bath time!


Franklin D. Roosevelt, 1993-1945



Franklin D. Roosevelt’s pooch turned is the only White House pet to be honored with his own statue. The president took the black Scottish Terrier with him everywhere he went and used every chance to mention his furry best friend in his speeches.


William H. Taft, 1909-1923



It seems that company of his pooch Caruso wasn’t enough for president William Howard Taft, because the family kept a cow as a pet as well. Pauline Wayne spent her time grazing the White House lawn, a luxury that not many of her kind got to experience.


Warren G. Harding, 1921-1923

President Warren G. Harding and his wife, Florence, were big animal lovers. Their beloved Airedale Terrier, Laddie Boy, also served as a poster boy for the First Lady’s promotion of animal right issues. And yes, in case you’re wondering, that is a 1920’s version of a pet’s birthday cake.


George W. Bush, 2001-2009

India, a black American Shorthair, lived with President Bush and his family for almost two decades. Unfortunately, she’s been overshadowed by the family’s two dogs who were favored by the public and the media. Seeing the presidential feline’s Halloween photo, I can’t say I understand why she wasn’t a media sweetheart, honestly.

WOW
Angela Vuckovic
Angela Vuckovic

A proud mama to seven dogs and ten cats, Angela spends her days writing for her fellow pet parents and pampering her furballs, all of whom are rescues. When she's not gushing over her adorable cats or playing with her dogs, she can be found curled up with a good fantasy book.

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You never know what’s going in your dog’s head… but thanks to science, we’re getting closer to a mind meld! And it turns out, their gray matter works a lot harder than previously believed. So you think your little guy can read you like a book? Research says you’re probably right. Findings from a recent study by Emory Health Sciences in Atlanta suggest that Rover can in fact process faces and thus has skills previously attributed to just humans and primates. The study involved dogs who had been specially trained to pay attention to two-dimensional images on a screen. For any of us who “catch” our pooch watching the tube we know how fleeting this can be. Equally so his willingness to sit still for a photo; so imagine trying to get him to lay still for longer than a nano-second so his brain activity can be monitored. But researchers did it, and were able to observe the dogs as they viewed both still and video images under a functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI) machine. The findings show our good buddies do in fact have a specialized region in their brains for computing faces and this may explain their extreme sensitivity to human social cues. Related: Science Proves There’s Such A Thing As Dog People And Cat People Gregory Berns, a neuroscientist at Emory University and the senior author of the study says that for the current study researchers focused on how dogs respond to faces versus everyday objects. “Dogs are obviously highly social animals, so it makes sense that they would respond to faces. We wanted to know whether that response is learned or innate.” In humans, there are at least three face processing regions in the brain including one which helps us distinguish faces from other objects. From Berns’ research we now know that dogs also have a specialized region in their brains for processing faces and he suggests this ability is hard-wired through cognitive evolution. Related: Research Shows That Kids Are Closer To Pets Than Siblings But how do they know that dogs don’t “recognize” faces as simply the delivery agent of treats, walks, or other special rewards? Berns heads up the Dog Project at Emory’s Department of Psychology that is researching the evolution of canines. Previous studies have identified the “reward center” of their brain and these new studies show a different region responding to the facial stimulation. In fact, a region in their temporal lobe responded significantly more to movies or still images of human or dog faces than to those of inanimate objects. But back to training these pooches and our continued concern when we hear the words “dog” and “research” in the same sentence. Emory confirms that “From the outset, we wanted to ensure the safety and comfort of the dogs. We wanted them to be unrestrained and go into the scanner willingly.” They were trained to wear earmuffs to protect them from the noisy scanners and to hold their heads perfectly still with their chin on a rest to prevent blurring. “We know the dogs are happy by their body language,” says Mark Spivak, the professional trainer involved in the project. The aim of the Dog Project is to decode the mental processes of dogs by recording which areas of their brains are activated by various stimuli. Their goal is to answer questions such as: Do dogs have empathy? Do they know when their owners are happy or sad? How much language do they really understand? Our answer: Yay Science! [Source: Science Daily]

Tips For Removing And Keeping Dog Fur Off Your Clothes

Pet parents know what we’re talking about – there’s not an outfit you own that doesn’t have dog hair on it. Here’s what you can do to keep that extra layer off your clothes. If you are a dog owner, you cannot ever truly escape pet hair. Even so-called “non-shed” breeds lose fur to some degree and it often seems like no matter how much or how little your dog sheds, all of the hair ends up on your clothing. We feel for you – that’s why we’ve put together a few practical tips for keeping pet fur off your clothes and for keeping shedding under control. Related: Product Review: Neato XV Signature Pro Keeping Pet Fur Off Clothing You may not be able to stop your pet from shedding, but there are a few simple things you can do to minimize the amount of pet fur that gets on your clothes. Keep your good clothes safely tucked away in a closet with doors and change out of your work clothes as soon as you get home.Spray your clothes with anti-static spray – it may not keep the fur off completely but it can help to reduce the amount of fur that sticks to your clothes.There are many different dryer sheets on the market (like Bounce) that promise to remove pet fur from clothes. As well, you can add a product such as the Blulu Reusable Dryer Balls along with your laundry to take pesky hair off your favorite outfits.Stick to smooth fabrics – soft or plush fabrics like wool sweaters and sweatpants tend to attract more fur than smoother materials.Keep a lint roller near the door so, in case you attract some pet hair while walking through the house, you can remove it right before you head out the door.Be mindful about your color choices for clothing – dark colors like navy or black tend to show pet hair more than lighter colors like tan or grey.Use slipcovers on furniture that you sit on, such as couches or chairs. That way, you can wash them once a week to remove unwanted fur that sticks to clothes when you sit down. Related: Product Review: Madra Mor Mud Treatment Tips for Keeping Shedding Under Control If you truly want to minimize the amount of pet hair that gets on your clothing, your best bet is to take simple steps to reduce the amount your pet sheds. Give your pet a quick brushing every day (or at least a few times a week) to remove dead hair before it falls off – do this outside or in the garage, if you can.For double-coated breeds, use an undercoat rake to remove fur before it can be shed – most double-coated breeds “blow” their coats once or twice a year so it is especially important to brush them during these periods.Give your dog a high-quality pet food – the quality of your pet’s food will impact the health of his coat so feeding him a high-quality diet could help reduce shedding.Sweep and vacuum your floors often to avoid a build-up of hair that results in tufts and balls of hair wafting around the room.Bathe your dog occasionally, especially during the summer – not only will this improve the health of your dog’s skin and coat, but it may also help to keep shedding under control.Use the right tools when brushing or grooming your dog – there are different brushes for different types and lengths of hair so make sure you use the right tool for the job. Dealing with pet hair is just another part of being a pet owner… but when you’re covered in it, it doesn’t necessarily make a good impression on people at work or in social situations. Keeping on top of the problem is the best way to keep fur off of your clothes so you can always look your best. We are committed to finding, researching, and recommending the best products. We earn commissions from purchases you make using the retail links in our product reviews. Learn more about how this works.

Pups With Tents: Rustic Tips To Remember When Camping With Dogs

Some people prefer a simple way of life, getting back in touch with nature and living in the wild (I call those people crazy!). But for Kevin Roberts, camping with his pack is a cherished part of life and a great Canadian pastime. Have you considered camping with your dog? I heartily endorse the activity! It’s the perfect opportunity to not only leave the fast-paced, high-tech world behind for a little while, but also to connect with your dog in a natural setting. And with a little bit of planning, sharing a tent with your pup can be an amazing experience. Here are a few of my tips for camping with your dog:

Bordoodle

Bordoodle BasicsAlso known as the Borpoo, Borderdoodle, Borderpoo, and Border Poodle, the Bordoodle is a fantastic family dog. These canines are affectionate, intelligent, and protective, so if you are in search of a best friend that will always be at your side, this breed could be your best match. These dogs bond with their humans hard and fast. You’ll never feel alone with a bordoodle. This pup is a friend for life.However, before bringing a Bordoodle into your family, though, you really should get to know the breed a little better. That’s where Pet Guide comes in. We’ve done the research and are prepared to provide you with everything that you need to know about the Bordoodle before committing to adding one to your family. The helpful information below will allow you to decide if this adorable pooch will love being a part of your family. So keep your eyes glued to this page and scroll away to discover everything worth knowing about the Bordoodle.The Bordoodle is a cross between a purebred Border Collie and Poodle.Origin When it comes to designer dogs, there’s not much information on the origin of the individual breeds. Unfortunately, no particularly accurate history has been documented as these dogs have exploded in popularity. All we know is that the trend of crossbreeding purebreds peaked in the late 1980s with the first litter of Labradoodle. However, there have always been mixed breed dogs, even without names to label them (they just weren’t bred deliberately at that time, they were all happy accidents). This further complicates things for people who want to find out the history of a designer dog breed. For instance, there may have been Border Collie and Poodle mixes before the Bordoodle came to be, but the moment this mix was developed intentionally is the moment that ‘counts’.Since there are no breeders to step out and claim that this hybrid breed was a result of their initiative, there is no way to know when that moment happened for the Bordoodle. The best guess anyone can have is that the Bordoodle had its start in the United States, sometime in the last 20 years- the same as most other hybrids. We may never know when the Bordoodle was officially named, but we will forever feel grateful that it happened.Of course, just because we don’t know when or where the breed was created, it doesn’t mean that the reasons for its development are unclear. It’s easy to see why breeders decided to cross a Border Collie with a Poodle. Both are considered to be the among the most intelligent dogs in the world, and the hope was that their offspring would also be highly intelligent, with a friendly nature and potentially low-shedding coat. To say breeders succeeded in this goal would be an understatement.Pedigree

Arabian Mau

Arabian Mau Breed History The Arabian Mau is one of the oldest of all of the natural feline breeds. Only recently has this desert cat become recognized as an actual breed, even though it has been common in the Arabian Peninsula, including the United Arab Emirates, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, and Saudi Arabia, for over 1,000 years. In fact, if you go to those parts of the world, you will commonly find Arabian Maus living as street cats, surviving independently and adapting to their environment even as the deserts are transformed into cities. “Mau” is actually the Egyptian word for “cat,” and these kitties are active at night, preferring to sleep during the day just like their ancestors did in order to avoid the hot sun of the desert. So, this might be something to consider before bringing one into your family, especially if you would be annoyed by a pet that tends to prefer the nighttime to explore and play. This is a popular breed because, in addition to the Arabian Mau’s beautiful appearance, they can also develop a strong bond with their human family. So, if you are in search of a natural feline breed and you are ready to devote a lot of time and attention to your furry companion, the Arabian Mau might be a stellar choice. The Arabian Mau is one of the oldest of all of the natural feline breeds. Breed Traits

Puggle

Puggle Basics If you are in the market for a doggo so adorable that it will keep a smile plastered on your face for every second that you spend together, then it’s about time that you met the Puggle. Lively and full of the spunk, the Puggle is a fun-loving little clown. He’ll run around and play like he was a puppy, even long after he is all grownup! His perky attitude and spark of enthusiasm will keep the family laughing day after day. It’s like keeping a furry reservoir of joy in your home. The smiles will never stop with a Puggle in your life. This popular designer dog was developed by crossing the flat-face Pug with the floppy-eared beagle. The combination of these two very popular dogs results in a hybrid that boasts the best that his parents have to offer, all bundled up in one adorable package. A perfect combination of popular doggos that some owners think is even better than the Puggle’s beloved parents. The Puggle’s low maintenance coat and his ability to get much of his exercise indoors make him the perfect pet for those living in the city or an apartment building. Your Puggle will have no problem fitting into a city or couch potato lifestyle. However, he still enjoys running around outside, so the occasional trip to a dog park is an excellent idea as well. Owing to his hound genes, this cute designer dog can have a penchant for sniffing his way straight to trouble. So make sure to always keep your Puggle on a leash in unsecured areas. A loving and social dog, the Puggle makes new friends wherever he goes. People gravitate to this little fellow and love his good-natured attitude and handsome looks. These dogs are irresistible no one can resist their charms. Probably not even you. Want to know why? Then keep your eyes glued to this page to learn more about the Puggle. Lively and full of the spunk, the Puggle is a fun-loving little clown. Origin Not all designer dogs have a well-documented history or any recorded history at all for that matter. However, this popular hybrid is one of the few designer dogs with well known roots. The Puggle originated in the United States in the 1980s. Many believe that the first Puggles were the result of an accidental breeding. However, enthusiasts of this hybrid breed claim that they actually originated from a planned breeding don in the hopes of creating a new dog breed. The first person to have intentionally produced a litter of Pug-Beagle mix puppies was Wisconsin breeder Wallace Havens. He will forever be known as the proud poppa of the Puggle. As a result of multigenerational breeding, Puggles have gained incredible popularity in the U.S. Seemingly everyone wants one of these pups. In fact in 2005, the Puggle became the most widely owned crossbreed dog in history! Keeping in mind the popularity of designer dogs and hybrids in general, this says a lot about the Puggle. These dogs didn’t get so popular by accident. They deserve and earn their love. Puggle breeders have been working diligently to create a more standard look and temperament for the hybrid. This crossbreed is accepted by several registries. Breeders even have high hopes that the Puggle will eventually be recognized by the American Kennel Club, an organization that holds an infamous bias against designer dogs.. For now, this Pug/Beagle mix shares the fate of his other crossbreed fellows and gets no recognition from this prestigious organization. One day the AKC will finally learn to love designer pups along with everyone else, but it is not this day. Pedigree

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