By Nick Thomas –

“While Presidents’ Day may be a time to reflect on the nation’s leaders, in the past two centuries, hundreds of animals have also been part of the 44 U.S. presidential administrations.

In many cases, these unelected animal residents tracking through 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue were probably viewed by the American public with even greater affection than their elected masters.

George Washington began the presidential pet parade in 1789 by bringing his parrot, Polly, as well as many dogs and horses to his administration. Since construction of the White House was not completed during his tenure, the president and his animals lived at Washington’s home – Mount Vernon, his Virginia estate.

Washington’s favorite horse was Nelson, the mount he rode when accepting Cornwallis’ surrender at Yorktown – the 1781 battle that ended the Revolutionary War. He also owned the first presidential dogs and the names of two – Drunkard and Tipsy – suggest that riding horses wasn’t Washington’s only pleasure.”  Continued…  Daily News.