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All Creatures Gre at and Small

Cross Hall Pet Sculptures

Entrances to both the East Room and the State Dining Room from the Cross Hall are surrounded by garlands full of large pine cones, red glass balls, red icicles and red pepper berries. Adorning the Entry Hall mantel are the pets of President George W. Bush and Laura Bush. The Bushes' cat, India "Willie" Bush, and Spot, their English Springer Spaniel, have been part of the Bush pet clan for more than a decade. Barney Bush, a Scottish terrier, was a birthday gift from the President to Mrs. Bush in 2000.
Caroline Kennedy's dog, Pushinka ("fluffy" in Russian), a gift from Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev, is making friends with Laddie Boy, President Warren Harding's Airedale terrier. Laddie Boy sat in his own chair during cabinet meetings and once invited all the neighborhood dogs to his birthday party. President Harding served from 1921 to 1923. Macaroni, one of the two pets belonging to Caroline, the daughter of President John F. Kennedy and Jackie Kennedy, stands near the State Dining Room doors. The pony, which roamed freely all around the White House, received fan mail from children all over the country. President Kennedy served from 1961 to 1963.