I is for Irish Setter, Italian Greyhound and India
John Tyler (1841-1845), Harry S. Truman (1945-1953), Richard M. Nixon (1989-1933), and George W. Bush (2001-2009).
Irish Setter
First Daughter Margaret Truman was given an Irish Setter puppy shortly after President Truman was sworn in in 1945. She named the puppy Mike but unfortunately he developed rickets from poor feeding habits while at the WH. One source said he died of rickets, the other said the Truman’s gave him away to a farmer in Virginia.
President Richard Nixon had several dogs while in the WH, but it appears his favorite may have been the Irish Setter, King Timahoe. Tim, as he was called, was a gift from Nixon’s staffers and he was born in Ireland, the ancestral homeland of Nixon’s family. After giving his name some thought, Nixon wanted to give him a good Irish name and chose Timahoe, after the hamlet of the same name. There were two other dogs in the Nixon WH but we will cover them on other days. King Timahoe died in 1979 at the age of 11.
Italian Greyhound
President John Tyler had a single dog while in the WH. It was an Italian greyhound named LeBeau. She was a gift from a government official in Naples, Italy and unfortunately the records surround her activities or personality seem to be nonexistent. (Vintage illustration)
India
Not the country but the cat!!! India belonged to President George W. Bush and was a beautiful house panther. She was adopted in late 1991 and First Daughter Barbara named her after a Texas Ranger’s star player, Ruben Sierra, aka El Indio. Unfortunately for President Bush an effigy was burned in his name in India saying that naming a black cat named “India” was an insult to their country. Seriously, folks, maybe if those rabble rousers had bothered to check their facts first, they wouldn’t have performed such a pointless act.
India mostly kept to herself letting Barney and Miss Beazley (more about them on another day) bask in the spotlight. She did have some photobombs on the Barneycam videos posted at the time on the WH website and it was revealed that India was a bookworm. The website also revealed that her favorite room in the WH was the library and her favorite book was If You Take a Mouse to the Movies by Laura Numeroff and Felicia Bond.
India lived a long and happy life. She died on January 4, 2009 at age 18 in the WH just a few weeks before the Obamas moved in. I guess she thought the only physical home worthy of her presence was the WH and she just wasn’t going anywhere else!!
India’s favorite book! Click on the badge below for the review over at Library of Cats.
I love all the pictures of India! She’s gorgeous. Looks like they had fun with their animals, dressing them up and getting photos of them.
The IG is a loving dog. Too bad there was no information on her…
Another great post!
Michele at Angels Bark
LikeLiked by 1 person
Margaret has Mike’s ears! Lol. 🐕 💚 😁
LikeLiked by 1 person
They are so clever putting together a cook book. ;
I love that photo!
LikeLiked by 1 person
This was such a fascinating post. The Valentine photo was Mom’s favorite. So super sweet. Today is National Pet Day , so not only does this work with your A to Z challenge but is perfect for Pet Day. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
LikeLike
That is my favorite too!
LikeLike
India….ewe R a gorgeouz kitteh !!!! yur “familee album fotoz” R price lezz….we like de cook book one de best 🙂 pleez say hi ta dude & sauce for uz & thanx !! ♥♥♥
LikeLiked by 1 person
Those pictures of India (or perhaps Willie) are so adorable!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Beautiful pictures of India & all the Bush pets !
I am a big fan of Harry Truman, but I am disappointed and dismayed to read about the treatment of the pets at the WH during his time.
What a great job you have done putting these posts together ! Fun and learning a lot !
LikeLike
Thanks so much!!
LikeLike
India was beautiful! We can’t believe the people in the country of India go so upset about her name.
LikeLike
Silly, wasn’t it?
LikeLike
I remember India well. She was such a beauty.
LikeLike
Nothing like a beautiful black house panther!
LikeLike
I can’t believe that I had never heard of India. She was a beauty. Great job on I, great job on all the letters you’ve done.
LikeLiked by 1 person
A lovely group of pets! 🙂 The cat fits right in with the Scotties.
LikeLiked by 1 person