First Pets: Four-Legged or Feathered Friends of President Dwight Eisenhower

Dwight D. Eisenhower, 34th president of the U.S. and the Supreme Commander of the Allied Forces during World War II, had a soft spot in his heart for pets, including a feathered friend and faithful canine.

President Eisenhower and his First Lady had two pets during their years in the White House, according to the Eisenhower Presidential Library. One was a parakeet and the other was a Weimaraner named Heidi, a "wonderful" dog that roamed the grounds at will.

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The dog was "a great favorite of the many tourists to the White House," Ann Whitman, the president's secretary wrote in a letter. Heidi later moved to the Eisenhower farm in Gettysburg, Pennsylvania.

Eisenhower himself spoke of how he valued the dog during his presidency in 1958 in a letter to Arthur Summerfield, who gave him the dog:

"Heidi is definitely an asset to life in the White House. She cavorts on the South Lawn at a great rate, with such important projects as chasing squirrels and investigating what might be under bushes. She is beautiful and well-behaved (occasionally she tends toward stubbornness but is then immediately apologetic about it). And she is extremely affectionate and seemingly happy. I am constantly indebted to you both for giving her to me."

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Heidi was not without faults. The Eisenhower's were once forced to send the dog to their Pennsylvania farm because the dog's weak bladder caused an accident on an expensive rug in the diplomatic reception room of the White House. The rug had been worth some $20,000 in 1950s dollars.

Heidi, however, enjoyed her time on the farm with the hunting abilities of the Weimaraner breed. The dog later gave birth to at least four puppies after leaving Washington, according to the Presidential Pet Museum.

The dog was quite protective and would jump up between First Lady Mamie and cameras when the White House photographers tried to take pictures. Mamie didn’t really want the dog at first, but later become great friends with the pooch.

Heidi was given first-class treatment with a comfortable basket on the third floor of the White House. Sometimes she napped in the president's private office. Once she accidentally pushed a buzzer underneath Eisenhower's desk, sending in one of his secretaries prepared with a notepad.

There were reports that Heidi had the presidential limo all to herself at least one time during a drive from the White House to the Gettysburg farm. The chauffer and a valet sat up front.

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