As you can imagine, with only three of our 43 presidents electing not to have animals in the White House, there have been many loyal companions to make the hard, and sometimes lonely, job of leading a country a little bit easier. 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue has been home to creatures ranging from turkeys and sheep, to alligators and zebras. Still, the perennial favorite seems to be dogs. President Calvin Coolidge was even known to have stated, “Any man who does not like dogs and want them about does not deserve to be in the White House.”

The two presidents whose birthdays we celebrate this month truly enjoyed the companionship of their animals. George Washington housed several stallions, including those that he had used during the Revolution. Hounds including Drunkard, Lad, Rover, and Sweetlips made things livelier as the country got its start. Martha Washington even enjoyed the company of a parrot.

Abraham Lincoln’s pets included ponies, a white rabbit, goats, Tad Lincoln’s turkey, Jip, and all of the Lincoln family cats and dogs. There was a special place in the hearts of the Lincoln family for Fido, the floppy-eared, yellowish dog that had been the constant companion of Abraham Lincoln while he walked the streets of Springfield, Illinois before becoming president. When the family had to leave Springfield for Washington, they determined that Fido would not survive the trip. After much protesting on the part of Tad, they searched for a good home and drew up a list of rules for the care of Fido. He was to never be scolded for having muddy paws in the house and was not to be tied up in the backyard alone. Letters from home kept the family updated until the death of President Lincoln in 1865.

Spot, a current First Pet, has the distinction of being the only second-generation presidential pet in history. Spot is the daughter of former President Bush’s dog Millie. She is an 11-year old English Springer Spaniel who likes dry dog food and gets the honor of sleeping on a chair in the First Couple’s bedroom.

While recent presidents have brought more common pets such as cats and dogs to the White House, history tells the story of some very unusual First Pets. The first unique animals introduced into the White House may have been the alligator that the Marquis de Lafayette gave to John Quincy Adams and the silkworms that belonged to Mrs. Louisa Adams. The zoo that President Coolidge maintained at the White House included dogs, birds, cats and raccoons, along with a donkey, a bobcat, lion cubs, a wallaby, a pigmy hippo, and a bear. President Theodore Roosevelt had a hyena, a barn owl, a zebra, and several snakes, rates, lizards, and roosters. William Taft had the last cow at the White House, while James Buchanan maintained a herd of elephants that had been given to him by the King of Siam, along with a pair of bald eagles. Congress even asked Martin Van Buren to send his pair of tiger cubs to the zoo.

Whatever the choice, United States presidents know that their furry (or not so furry) friends are always welcome in the White House.

It is important that your dog have a toy that is right for him. Size is one of the most important things to consider. The toy that your dog loved as a puppy may now be too small. Also, is your dog playing with a ball or other toy that is too small and could pose a choking hazard? Discard any toy that is broken or seems dangerous.

Your pet likes variety just as much as you do. Rotate his toys so that you can keep things interesting for your pet. Of course, if he has a favorite, let him enjoy it all the time.

The material from which the toy is made is also an important consideration. As you observe your dog’s chewing habits, note how aggressive he is and purchase the kind of toy that will best meet his needs. For example, aggressive chewers should only have durable hard rubber or nylon toys, while semi-aggressive chewers should have canvas, plush, fleece, or rope toys. Non-aggressive or very light chewers might enjoy vinyl or latex toys that come in all shapes and sizes and are sometimes accompanied by a squeaking noise to make things more interesting.

As you watch your pet with his new toy, watch for signs of destructive behavior. It is important to take the toy away if it looks like the toy could come apart and turn into small pieces that your dog could swallow or choke on.

A fun toy can be just what your dog needs to fight those wintertime blues. Just make sure that you investigate all the possibilities and pick the perfect one for your pet.