The most famous photograph of a presidential pet happened during the administration of President Lyndon Baines Johnson. He was photographed holding one of his pet Beagles by the ears and terrible controversy ensued. As you can see in the accompanying photograph an already elderly Helen Thomas was present and started a campaign against the beleaguered President because no one had held her by the ears in quite a long time. In fact no one had ever done it. Most pundits of the present day also condemn the supposed cruelty of this pose except for blogger Andrew Sullivan who sees nothing wrong with holding a beagle by it's ears. In fact he calls it hot.
Let me be clear. Having Lyndon Johnson hold you by the ears is not hot. Trust me. I know what I am talking about.
(Buddy Clinton Died For Your Sins, Doris Kearns Goodwin, Playboy Press 2009)
