Barack Obama promised puppy for girls ; past presidential pets have been strange . What the heck ? First lady Abigail Adams had a dog named Abigail . President Harding 's dog gave ` ` ' '' and had a presence at Cabinet meetings . Gerald Ford 's golden retriever hung out in the Oval Office and could supposedly read a sign from Ford that she should go be affectionate to guests -- a cute and cuddly way to gracefully end the President 's conversations . Original name of Grant 's dog : Big Boy ; President Grant had fighting gamecocks .
Barack Obama promised puppy for girls ; past presidential pets have been strange . What the heck ? First lady Abigail Adams had a dog named Abigail . President Harding 's dog gave ` ` ' '' and had a presence at Cabinet meetings . Original name of Grant 's dog : Big Boy ; President Grant had fighting gamecocks .