Dogs Died

President Ulysses Grant loved horses, but suffered misfortune with a series of dogs. While in the White House, each died of unknown causes. When Jesse Grant, his son, voiced fears that his treasured Newfoundland was fated to go the same way, the president summoned the White House steward. "Father asked no questions, made no accusations," Jesse wrote, and Grant ended the matter with a simple political promise:

"Jesse has a new dog. You may have noticed that his former pets have been particularly unfortunate. When this dog dies, every employee in the White House will be at once discharged."

The Newfoundland, named Faithful, enjoyed superb health throughout Grant's tenure in the White House, according to Margaret Truman, author of a 1979 book titled "White House Pets."