Thursday, July 4, 2013

Did the Founding Fathers Have Dogs? Yes! (Cats, too!)

George Washington was the Father of our nation and also the father of the American Foxhound.  According to his diary, he named three of them Drunkard, Tipsy and Tipler.  



It is thought that John and Abigail Adams had mixed breed dogs.  Like George, they also had a sense of humor when naming their canine companions.  One was named Juno and the other, Satan.  (Maybe he could have benefitted from some obedience classes?)




Benjamin Franklin and his son William were partial to Newfoundlands.  Who could resist that sweet face?



Thomas Jefferson became enamored with Briards when he was serving as Minister to France.  He brought home a female he named Buzzy, who had two puppies on the ship home.



Abraham Lincoln's dog Fido was a "floppy-eared, rough-coated, yellowish dog of uncertain ancestry".  (Picture below)  He looks like a retriever mix to me.  He followed Mr. Lincoln wherever he went when Abe and family lived in Illinois.  


Lincoln also loved kitty cats.  Abraham Lincoln had the first White House cat, Tabby.  When his wife Mary was asked about Lincoln's hobbies, her answer was "Cats."  
'Nuff said.

Happy 4th of July!!





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