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A celebration of White House pets
Lincoln Presidential Library offers day of fun for families and their pets Sept. 12
 

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[September 09, 2015]  SPRINGFIELD – Families will get to show off their pets while learning about the many critters who have lived at the nation’s most prestigious address when the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum celebrates “Pets in the White House” on Sept. 12.

The free event includes a patriotic-themed pet parade with a prize package worth $125 provided by Scheels and the Lincoln Presidential Library. Visitors can make toys for their cats and dogs, get their faces painted, take a picture in our photo booth and have their pet’s nails trimmed.

They’ll get to watch demonstrations of dogs doing search and rescue, military work and agility trials. And they can meet Smokey, the Jacksonville firehouse dog; Captain Canine from the Animal Protective League; and Speedy, mascot for the Springfield Sliders.

Of course, they’ll also get to learn about presidential pets – a list that goes far beyond cats and dogs. Lincoln, for instance, had two goats, Nanny and Nanko, and Benjamin Harrison had one named Old Whiskers.

Other presidential critters include possums, mockingbirds, parrots, bears, alligators, an elephant and a pygmy hippopotamus.

Pets in the White House runs from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. on Saturday, Sept. 12. A veterinarian will be on hand for emergencies. No animals under 8 weeks old, and all pets must have proof of appropriate shots. Further details at www.TenYearsLincoln.com.

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Pets in the White House is sponsored by the Animal Protective League, Myers Mobile Animal Clinic, Wolf Veterinary Services, the Springfield Police, Joe Blankenship Certified Dog Trainer, the Sangamon County Sheriff’s Office and the Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library Foundation.

The Abraham Lincoln Presidential Library and Museum is celebrating its 10th anniversary with an incredible line-up of special events.

Two major exhibits are open now: “Undying Words: Lincoln 1858-1865” explores some of Lincoln’s greatest speeches through documents and amazing artifacts, and “With Firmness in the Right: Lincoln and the Jews” examines his relationship with a minority group that was small but growing quickly during his presidency.

[Chris Wills, Illinois Historic Preservation Agency]

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