Lifelong bachelor President James Buchanan ‘– like so many other Presidents – had pets with him and gifted to him while he was in the White House. Among those pets were dogs, one being Lara, a Newfoundland and the other a toy terrier named Punch.
Because President Buchanan was unmarried, his niece and ward Harriet Lane assumed the duties of the First Lady during Buchanan’s time in the White House. Punch was gifted to Harriet by the U.S. Consul residing in South Hampton, England. Punch was very tiny, reportedly so small that he could fit under a punch bowl.
It certainly must have been entertaining to see Punch with Lara, Buchanan’s Newfoundland.
What happened to Punch is unknown, but it is likely that when Harriet exited the White House upon the end of her uncle’s term as President, she took Punch with her.
