Animals in the White House

Animals in the White House — First Dogs

Animals in the White House — First Dogs
Reading Level

	edHelper's suggested reading level:	grades 5 to 6
	Flesch-Kincaid grade level:	4.53

Vocabulary

	challenging words:		frisk, howler, pant-leg, spotty, whisperer, well-known, tidbit, destroyer, refused, spaniel, saying, terrier, rumor, well-trained, probably, politics
	content words:		Harry Truman, White House, George Washington, Revolutionary War, General Washington, First Family, Calvin Coolidge, Rob Roy, First Dog, Franklin Roosevelt

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Animals in the White House — First Dogs
By Toni Lee Robinson

¹     You've probably heard the saying: "A dog is man's best friend." American presidents must agree. Harry Truman, the 33rd president, said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." Leading the country can be a lonely job. Sometimes the president needs a friend who isn't in politics! Maybe that's why almost every president has had pets in the White House.

²     George Washington must have felt that dogs were good friends. When he was president, he kept hounds (18 of them!) for hunting. He even called a "time out" in the Revolutionary War for a dog. During one battle, a British general's dog ended up in American hands. (It could have been the first time a dog became a prisoner of war!) General Washington ordered a flag of truce so that the dog could be returned.

³     Theodore Roosevelt's family had a regular zoo when they lived in the White House. Roosevelt was the 26th president. He had six children. They brought all kinds of animals to the White House. Their pets ranged from bears to snakes, with a hyena and a wildcat or two thrown in. Along with all their other furry, feathered, and slithery friends, they had at least five dogs.

⁴     Pete, the Roosevelt's bull terrier, was a beloved member of the lively First Family. He may not have been such a hit with visitors. It caused quite a stir when Pete attacked a French ambassador. After the excitement was over, the visitor was found to be okay. The same couldn't be said for his pants, though. Pete had shredded one pant-leg.

⁵     Calvin Coolidge was the 30th president. He and Mrs. Coolidge must have loved dogs. They had an even dozen at the White House. The dogs may have been used to a tidbit or two from the president's plate. At a White House lunch, a senator felt someone staring at him. He looked from his plate into the glaring eyes of Rob Roy, a big white collie. "Senator, I think he wants your sausage," the president explained. It was clear that, in the White House, what Rob wanted, Rob got. The senator wisely gave in.

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