National Dogs in Politics Day falls on September 23rd. What better time to celebrate some of our furry friends who have served as first pets over the years. And, no matter what side of the aisle you fall on, it’s a good bet that political pooches might be the one thing that can bring us all together.
Top Dogs in the White House
Almost all our presidents have shared the White House with a four-legged friend or two. And, these top dogs are worth crossing the aisle for. Read on about just a few of the first dogs in the White House.
Drunkard
It all started with George Washington. An avid dog lover, he helped create a new dog breed for fox hunting. He crossed his black and tan coonhounds with French hounds to produce a dog that was speedy, intelligent and had a strong sense of smell. The result was a dog breed that is still with us today, the American Foxhound. Washington had several dogs that he cared for but probably the most well-known was named “Drunkard.” Although Washington never lived in the White House, as it was not completed at the time, he is still considered the first presidential pet owner, making Drunkard a first dog.
Fido & Jip
Fido, a mixed breed dog, was the constant companion of president Abraham Lincoln. Reportedly, Fido followed Lincoln nearly everywhere he went around town. When Lincoln won the presidency, however, Fido was sent to live with friends as Lincoln feared that the hustle and bustle of Washington would be too much for him and cause him anxiety. So, when the Lincoln family entered the White House, they got a smaller dog named Jip who seemed to easily adapt to the busy surroundings. As the first dog, Jip spent most of his time with the president or his son, Tad and was well liked by many visitors to the White House.
Pete
Pete was the naughty dog who belonged to Theodore “Teddy” Roosevelt. Pete had a reputation for biting White House staff and visitors’ ankles! Roosevelt loved the dog dearly and often made excuses for Pete’s behavior until one day when Pete chased a French ambassador up a tree. Teddy was out of excuses after the incident and Pete was eventually sent to live back at the Roosevelt’s family home. For a while, though, Pete the bull terrier reigned superior in the White House.
Fala
Fala was the famous Scottish Terrier belonging to Franklin D. Roosevelt. Fala grew so popular while he was in the White House that he had his own secretary to sort his fan mail. Fala slept on an exclusive chair at the foot of the president’s bed and was served a bone on the president’s breakfast tray. Roosevelt had eight dogs while serving in the White House, but Fala was his most trusted companion. He even attended Roosevelt’s funeral when he passed. Fala is the only presidential dog who has his own statue right next to FDR at the Franklin Delano Roosevelt Memorial in Washington D.C.
Rob Roy
Calvin Coolidge owned many pets while he was president including a bobcat and a racoon, however, one of his favorite pets was a white collie named Rob Roy. Rob Roy was named after a cocktail drink during prohibition. He was the first dog to be included in an official first family photo and often spent time in the oval office with the president.
Pushinka
Pushinka, a mixed breed dog, was given to John F. Kennedy by the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev. It happened after Kennedy’s wife, Jackie, asked Khrushchev during a state dinner if his famous astronaut dog had any puppies. Not long afterward, one of those puppies, Pushinka, showed up at the White House. When she arrived, she was examined for listening devices or anything that might indicate she was a spy! Once she gained clearance into the White House, many people believed she helped to end the Cold War by helping to open the lines of communication between JFK and Khrushchev.
Millie
George H.W. Bush owned Millie, an English springer spaniel. Mille was the first presidential dog to write a New York Times Best Seller! A day in the life of the president from the first dog’s perspective; Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush. The book benefited nonprofit literacy organizations. Millie was well loved and very popular with the country’s population. In 2004, The Millie Bush Bark Park was opened in her honor within the George Bush Park.
Buddy
Bill Clinton’s dog named Buddy was a chocolate Labrador who lived in the White House with the Clinton’s cat named Socks. Their cat and dog escapes were well-known in the White House and became the subject of the book "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets" written by first lady Hillary Clinton. The book recounts the fan mail that the famous pets received from around the country.
Bo
Barack Obama owned a Portuguese water dog named Bo. The president had promised his daughters that they would get a dog if he won the presidency. It wasn’t long before Bo was so popular that he was the subject of four books, had a plush toy made in his likeness and even had an official schedule. Bo traveled on Air Force One with the first family and met many world leaders. In 2013, Bo was nearly dognapped, however, the Secret Service arrested the suspect and saved the day!
#doglove
From our country’s first first dog and the parade of pooches that have followed, one thing is clear, we all share the love of dogs, regardless of their political views. Big or small, purebred or mixed breed, it doesn’t seem to matter. Dogs have found a way into the White House and into our hearts. They have a way of bringing us together through their silly antics and unusual personalities. One thing is for certain, they’ve got my vote!
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Photo courtesy Pixabay
Barbara Bauer is a Georgia-based blogger obsessed with inspiring others in the pursuit of self-development. She enjoys exploring the outdoors, drinking way too much coffee, and speaking with a British accent whenever possible.
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