2016 “Dogs in Politics Day” is here, but do we really know what it means and how it began?
You see, Americans have always loved dogs, so it makes sense that their politicians would love dogs also. Till date, there have been exactly 44 presidents in office, and all except two have had pets while in the White House. There are many famous dogs in politics not just in the United States but worldwide.
During a speech broadcast to the nation on a fateful day in 1955, President Richard Nixon made mention of his dog; a black-and-white spotted Cocker Spaniel called Checkers.
From that day on, the holiday came to be, and Dogs in Politics has been celebrated on September 23rd each year since then. As we get to share details from the holiday and the dogs that have shared the White House and the famous Oval Office with their pet parents, remember who started it all; a tiny little Cocker Spaniel named Checkers!
The White House has seen more breeds of dogs and here are some of the most famous dogs in politics of all time:
- Bo and Sunny, The Portuguese Water Spaniels, President Barack Obama – This cute furball pair of Portuguese Water Spaniels, Bo and Sunny, was a gift from Ted Kennedy to the Obamas just when they were researching the right breed for their family requirements.
- Spot and Miss Beazley, Springer Spaniel and Scottish Terrier, Former President George W. Bush – Miss Beazley was the cute little Scottish Terrier that stole the First Lady, Laura Bush’s heart, after it was given to her by her husband, President George Bush. The Bushs’ have a long-time affection for Springer Spaniels. Spot was a pup from the popular Millie, his father’s Springer Spaniel.
- Millie, Springer Spaniel, Former President George Bush – Millie was the active and fun-loving Springer Spaniel that was with the Bushs everywhere they went. Millie was also the first White House dog to write a book, Millie’s Book: As Dictated to Barbara Bush.
- Lucky, Bouvier de Flandres, Former President Ronald Reagan – Lucky was full of life and charismatic just like her pet parent who adored her.
- Liberty, Golden Retriever, Former President Gerald Ford – Liberty was usually seen with former President Ford and what Liberty loved more than anything was going to swim in the pond at Camp David.
- President Roosevelt’s Scottish Terrier Fala – Fala, a Scottish Terrier, who starred in movies and even had his own personal White House Press Secretary who answered the thousands of letters by his fans is arguably one of the most politicized dogs in the presidential history. Fala is also known for the stir he caused during World War II.
- Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis – It is impossible to exclude the royal Corgis from the list of political power pups. Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis enjoy the perks of an executive lifestyle, with their own room at Buckingham Palace and executive dinners prepared by a gourmet chef. They are also the only dogs on this list that have appeared onscreen with James Bond.
- Vice President of Colombia, Angelino Garzon’s German Shepherd Dog – Has an anxiety about your dog’s health ever held you back from taking up a new job or opportunity? You’re not alone. Colombian Vice President Angelino Garzon, in early March, turned down the opportunity to become an ambassador to Brazil. According to him, Orion, his dog, is very hairy, and the Brazilian hot climate could harm the dog’s health. This caused a serious political embarrassment for Columbia, with whom Brazil is a major trading partner considering Garzon’s status in government. But the dog is probably happy for it.
Can you name other famous dogs in politics that we didn’t mention?
The Regans also owned a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel named Rex.
Many of the President’s had more than one dog. 🙂