The dogs of President Kennedy

From his early years through his political career, John Kennedy was an avid dog lover. He was often photographed with a dog; his choice was usually a Maltese, Papillion, Poodle, or French Bulldog.

Ha ha, just messing with you.

Like most male politicians, he was usually photographed with retrievers or setters. During the White House years he requested that the dogs be trained to greet the Presidential helicopter when it arrived back at the White House.

The Presidential dogs included an Irish Wolfhound, a German Shepherd, and an Irish Cocker Spaniel.

However, the favorite was Charlie, a little Welsh Terrier who was his daughter Caroline’s dog. Charlie was famous for playfully nipping at the gardeners as they tended the White House lawn.

At the height of the Cuban missile crisis when there was some doubt about whether civilization as we knew it would last beyond the next day or explode in a nuclear holocaust, President Kennedy had Charlie brought to the chaos of the War Room.

Traphes Bryant, the White House kennel keeper, describes the events.

"I was there in Jack Kennedy's office that day. Everything was in an uproar. I was then feet from Kennedy's desk as Pierre Salinger ran around the office taking messages and issuing orders while the President sat looking awfully worried. There was talk about the Russian fleet coming in and our fleet blocking them off. It looked like war. Out of the blue, Kennedy suddenly called for Charlie to be brought to his office."

After petting Charlie for a while, the president relaxed, gave Charlie back to the kennel keeper, and calmly said, "I suppose that it's time to make some decisions."

The President made some decisions. The Russians backed off. The world went on.
As a sign of friendship and a peace offering, Soviet Premier Khrushchev gave Caroline Kennedy a furry mongrel named Pushinka, who was the puppy of a Russian space dog Strelka. Not worrying about differing ideologies, Pushinka and Charlie had four puppies together.

The President referred to them as the pupniks.

Comments

[Sara J.]

The little dogs might have changed the course of history and will get little credit for it. Good story.

[Diamond Emerald-eyes]

Pupniks. Good one!

[schnoodlepooh]

I think it's very cool that he petted his dog before making decisions. I think that petting my dogs grounds me and gets me more in touch with my priorities. Maybe that's what he was doing. I would have loved to see him with an elegant standard poodle.

[ed]

id love to see a politician posing with some sissy looking dog just once.

[jackie]

now that's a terrific story...
was thinking about him today as i watched his brother,nephew, and daughter give their endorsment to barak obama...was pretty cool...

[Denny]

Wow! Jan how do you keep your interest so focused day after day! One great dog story after another. You amaze me!

[Jimmy]

Why is the Presidential pups are always better people than the Presidents?

[Turbo the Sibe]

Never trust a politician who doesn't like dogs!

[Rosemary]

Maybe it is time to ask Penelope and Violet who I should vote for. They're pretty smart...well, except for the raiding of the cat box thing.

[Your son]

Pupniks? Still laughing about that one........

[Sling]

Pupniks!..and thus,detente was born.

[teetotaled]

hehe Pupniks.....love it!

[cube]

Great post. I learned some neat things about JFK. Especially like hearing about the pupniks. I'll definitely remember that.

[Marion]

Jan, I love your stories, and this one is especially wonderful. The name "pupniks" is perfect...I had not heard this one before.

Dogs are amazing, with their calming energy. The palm of my hand smoothing over a dog's back always settles me, much as it must have done for the President.

[Simply Jenn]

Hi Jan. I just wanted to let you know that on compliment instead of comment day that I am so glad I found my way to your blog. You pass on so much information that I would never come across. You are honest, which is greatly appreciated and you have given me some amazing advice! I just want to tell you thanks, and that you're doing an amazing job!!!!!

[Coll]

Even though I was quite young at the time, I remember the Cuban Missile Crisis. At least I remember feeling afraid. Most likely I picked it up from my parents. This bit about the pupniks puts a welcoming hopeful slant on it.

[yolanda]

I think you can tell a lot about the character of a man or woman by how they treat their animals.

[Sandy]

Dogs are indeed a man's best friend. As a proof, even presidents get awed with their presence :)

[Sandy]

Dogs are indeed a man's best friend. As a proof, even presidents get awed with their presence.