R is for Rabbit, Rooster and Raccoon
Abraham Lincoln (1861-1865), Theodore Roosevelt (1901-1909), and Calvin Coolidge (1923-1929)
Rabbit
In 1862 President Abraham Lincoln was sent a pair of white rabbits (for his boys most likely); they were described as having “pink eyes and quivering noses.” (representative vintage photo)
Rooster
While a lot of presidents may have had roosters on the grounds during their term of office, President Theodore Roosevelt had a one-legged rooster! (Photo of the one-legged rooster. I wonder if his name was Foghorn Leghorn?)
Raccoon
President Theodore Roosevelt also had a raccoon in his menagerie (and there are still more pets to come!). (Vintage representative photo.)
In 1926, a raccoon was sent from Mississippi to President Calvin Coolidge to be part of the Thanksgiving feast. (Mom is from Mississippi and she never heard of eating raccoon for Thanksgiving!!) However First Lady Grace Coolidge found the raccoon to be docile and friendly and decided to keep her as a pet. The President made the announcement of the raccoon during a press conference and asked the public for helping to name the new pet. By that Christmas, the raccoon was named Rebecca and she soon made her presence known by making an appearance at WH events including the Easter Egg Roll.
She was kept on a chain when outdoors – she had her own tree house – but when she was inside the WH she moved about freely. President Coolidge would walk around with Rebecca draped over his shoulders while First Lady Grace would cradle her like a baby.
Not all WH staff liked the raccoon because she had a penchant for ripping up clothing, stockings and upholstery. In 1928 a male raccoon was brought into keep Rebecca company but they didn’t get along. One source says the male was named Reuben, another says it was Horace.
Rebecca ended up escaping the WH grounds several times and the last time she was returned the Coolidges’ decided to donate her to the Rock Creek Zoo (now the Washington Zoo).
So much to learn here. I’ll be back. =)
Boldly Going Through the Alphabet!
@shanjeniah
Part-Time Minion for Holton’s Heroes
shanjeniah’s Lovely Chaos
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Y’all come on back any time!
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I will – and my animal lover daughter might, as well. =)
Boldly Going Through the Alphabet!
@shanjeniah
Part-Time Minion for Holton’s Heroes
shanjeniah’s Lovely Chaos
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A raccoon as a pet? How interesting!
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Better keep the food locked away!!
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These are such great facts you’re sharing with us! I especially like the pet raccoon.
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Thanks!
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That is so weird to have a raccoon! I can’t imagine one roaming freely around the WH nowadays!
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It would be weird!!
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A pet raccoon? I LOVE IT!!! I’m so happy to hear that the First Lady of the day rescued that cutie from the Thanksgiving table. Purrs, Seville.
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First Lady Grace certainly loved animals!!
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sew…. rebecca iz de furst…thanx be giving…. presidential pardon !!! 😉 🙂 grate werk with thiz challenge guys ~~~~~~~
we iz out til monday; sew heerz two an arrowtooth eel kinda week oh end ♥♥♥
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Thanks for stopping by!!
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Abe Lincoln and Teddy Roosevelt were clearly animal lovers. Their names seem to show up on these posts almost every day. Great post Toby.
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Thank you!! They were great animal lovers!
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We enjoy reading about all these unusual pets…a one-legged chicken. Who knew? We cannot imagine having a raccoon for a pet. We have a resident one, and he is very destructive. Thanks for continuing to enlighten us. XOCK, Lily Olivia, Mauricio, Misty May, Giulietta, Fiona, Astrid, Lisbeth and Calista Jo
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Anytime!!!
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A raccoon is an unusual pet, for sure ! Purrs
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Thank so much!
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Raccoons are so adorable!
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I like their little paws – look like hands!!
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Picturing “Silent Cal” with the raccoon draped around him ! We are gaining some insights into these presidents too !
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Me, too!
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Raccoons and Rabbits and Roosters!!! Who knew! Wes loving everything!!!
Keeps it up!!
Kisses
Nellie
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Thank you, Miss Nellie!!
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