Teddy Roosevelt — A Pony in the White House

Archie, President Roosevelt and Quentin

Archie Roosevelt, the nine-year-old son of President Teddy Roosevelt was recovering from the measles. He missed his pony, Algonquin, and wasn’t allowed outside to ride him.

His five-year-old brother, Quentin, had an idea. He enlisted the help of a footman who pushed the pony into the White House elevator while Quentin pulled. Algonquin resisted at first but when he saw his face in the mirror, he calmed down. The three rode up to the second floor and Quentin surprised Archie who was overjoyed to see his pony.

The New York Times reported on April 27, 1903, that “this is the first time that a horse has ridden in a White House elevator.

A Fine Little Bad Boy: Quentin Roosevelt in the White House

By Barbara Lowell, Illustrated by Antonio Marinoni

Coming: August 13, 2024

Quentin may be the “littlest Roosevelt,” but he soon rivals his father, the famous Teddy, as the biggest personality in the White House of the early 1900’s. From roller skating in the halls to shooting spitballs at Andrew Jackson’s portrait. From swimming in the fountains to taking a pony for an elevator ride. This “fine little bad boy” takes full advantage of his father’s long tenure as president, believing the good times will never end. 4-8 years

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Archie and Algonquin his Icelandic Shetland Pony

If you like this post, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

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Famous Fala, The President’s Dog

President Franklin Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier, Fala, appeared in newspaper photos around the world. He was so well-known that the Secret Service gave him the code name “The Informer.” When people spotted him, they knew the president was close by. Fala traveled everywhere with the president by ship, train, and car.

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Posing for photographers

Fala was born on April 7, 1940. A gift to President Roosevelt, he moved into the White House in November that year. The president named him Murray the Outlaw of Falahill after a Scottish ancestor. But the puppy was too small for such a big name. The president immediately shortened it.

An exceptionally friendly dog, Fala received lots of attention. He liked to show off his tricks to White House visitors: rolling over, jumping up, speaking, lying down, and his favorite, begging. But he never let the attention go to his head. He was a down-to-earth dog.

Fala liked to dig holes in the White House lawn, burying and digging up his bones. And he was always ready to chase the White House squirrels. At night, he slept beside the president’s bed. In the morning he enjoyed a dog biscuit when the president ate his breakfast.

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He received lots of fan mail, especially from children. He starred in two short films produced by MGM. His biography, The True Story of Fala was published when he was only two years old. He was also named an honorary army private. And he was given the title President of Barkers for Britain. He had campaigned to have American dog owners donate money to help the British people in World War II. 

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At Hyde Park with the president and a caretaker’s daughter

Fala died on April 5, 1952. He is buried in the rose garden at Hyde Park. In 1997, a memorial to President Roosevelt was dedicated near the National Mall in Washington, D.C. A statue of Fala is forever at President Roosevelt’s side.

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The Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington, D.C.

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

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Balto, Hero Dog https://barbaralowell.com/balto-hero-dog

A Book For Kids:71I31Uu7LxL

First Dog Fala

By Elizabeth Van Steenwyk, Illustrated by Michael G. Montgomery

Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie

Christopher Robin Milne, the son of A.A. Milne, the author of Winnie-the-Pooh and The House at Pooh Corner, first met London Zoo’s famous bear Winnie when he was three or four years old. According to his father, Christopher Robin ran right up to Winnie and said, “Oh, Bear!” while hugging her. “The bear hugged Christopher Robin,” his father said. “They had a glorious time together rolling about and pulling ears and all sorts of things.”

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Christopher Robin and the Real Winnie 

Winnie was a very tame bear. She played with London’s children by giving them rides on her back. The children fed her oranges and a “Winnie cocktail” — sweet milk mixed with golden syrup. Winnie rocked back and forth to say thank you. Winnie even had her own “signed” publicity photo.

Sometime after meeting Winnie, Christopher Robin decided to rename his teddy bear, from Edward Bear (similar to the generic Teddy Bear) to Winnie-the-Pooh. He combined the name Pooh, the name he had given to a swan, with Winnie, the bear’s name, to create the original name Winnie-the-Pooh, a name known throughout the world.

Winnie, an American black bear, was found at a train station by Lt. Harry Colebourn, a Canadian Veterinary soldier, when she was about seven months old. He traveled to England for training in WWI and when sent to the front in France, temporarily gave Winnie to London Zoo. In December 1919, he decided to donate Winnie to the zoo in gratitude for the excellent care she received.

If you like this article, then please consider sharing it and leaving a comment below. Thank you! Barbara Lowell, Children’s Author

Books For Kids:

Finding Winnie: The True Story of the World’s Most Famous Bear

By Lindsay Mattick, Illustrated by Sophie Blackall

Winnie:

The True Story of the Bear Who Inspired Winnie-the-Pooh

By Sally M. Walker, Illustrated by Jonathan D. Voss

The Real Winnie: A One-Of-A-Kind Bear

By Val Shushkewich