As Americans prepare to celebrate Independence Day on July 4th, I’d like to pause to acknowledge the patriotic dogs that helped shape our country. After all, as every dog knows, next to every great human is an even more awesome pup! Or at least that is my theory concerning the signers of the Declaration of Independence. From being the constant companions of patriots during uncertain times, to even winning the hearts of a couple skeptical signers, dogs were silent witnesses to the formation of the United States. Yet dogs who behave rarely make it into the pages of history, and are lost to time. We’ll never know exactly how many of the 56 signers of the Declaration of Independence had dogs. However, thankfully a few of these pups with more exuberant personalities have found their way into a document or two.
According to family lore, Samuel Adams owned a Newfoundland, named Queue. As noted by the account written approximately 100 years after Samuel Adams signed the Declaration, “Queue was noted for his antipathy to British uniforms; and he bore on his shaggy hide the scars of wounds received from soldiers, and even officers, who repelled his attacks by cutting and shooting at him. But the dog seemed to bear a charmed life.” Although there are no contemporary accounts of this dog, we do know firsthand that Samuel’s second cousin, fellow patriot and eventual President, John Adams was very fond of dogs.
John Adams and his wife Abigail owned many dogs over the years. However, it was their mixed-breed dog named Satan, and his pup, Juno, who eventually called the White House home. It is unclear if Satan lived up to his name. However, it is sweet that Juno was named for the Roman goddess, who was the protector and special counselor of the state. I wonder if Juno felt it was her personal job to protect Adams during his presidency? We do know she held a dear place in Abigail’s heart, who wrote in an 1811 letter to her granddaughter, Caroline Smith De Windt, “As if you love me, proverbially, you must love my dog, you will be glad to learn that Juno yet lives, although like her mistress she is gray with age. She appears to enjoy life and to be grateful for the attention paid her. She wags her tail and announces a visiter whenever one appears.”
Benjamin Franklin was not overtly fond of dogs. In fact, the saying “He that lieth down with dogs shall rise up with fleas” is attributed to Franklin’s Poor Richard’s Almanack. However, his son’s Newfoundland did eventually win over his heart. According to contemporary reports, while living as a diplomat in France, Benjamin Franklin could be seen regularly walking the dog and spoiling him with treats as any good dog granddad would do. In a letter written in 1778, a visitor to their home in Paris wrote, “nothing shall tempt me to forget your Newfoundland Dog.” So apparently this pup won over a lot of hearts during the family’s time in France.
Another signer of the Declaration of Independence that had a change in heart about dogs was Thomas Jefferson. Based on this letter from 1811, where he wrote that dogs were “most afflicting of all the follies for which men tax themselves,” it is clear that he was a big proponent of dog rules. However, when leaving his position as American Minister to France in 1789, he brought sheepdogs back to America with him. Well one of those dogs was a Briard that he named Bergère, who eventually changed Jefferson’s opinion. By the time his presidency was over Jefferson found himself to be quite the dog enthusiast, especially of the Briard. In fact he admitted in an 1813 letter, “Their extraordinary sagacity renders them extremely valuable, capable of being taught almost any duty that may be required of them, and the most anxious in the performance of that duty, the most watchful and faithful of all servants.” Jefferson may be considered the brilliant author of the Declaration of Independence, but he still had a lot to learn about dogs. Thank you Bergère for teaching him the error of his ways!
It is lost to time whether Benjamin Rush actually owned a dog, but dogs everywhere should thank him for his research into rabies and views on the protection of animals. During the early days of the country there was a series of rabies outbreaks across the states. At the time, little was known about this disease other than it was caused by “mad dog bites.” After consulting fellow physicians for treatments, Rush published a list of causes of rabies, which included bites from wild animals. Alright, he did have a ways to go with his research because he also included, “cold night air, eating beechnuts, a fall, and the involuntary association of ideas” as causes of rabies. However, more importantly, Rush was an outspoken advocate of the connection between morals and treating animals humanely. Some historians credit his work against cruelty to animals as laying the foundation for Pennsylvania to become the second state to charter a Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in 1867.
Fellow Philadelphian and signer of the Declaration, Robert Morris had a Spaniel who was very devoted to him. According to legend, the dog refused to leave his owner’s sickbed, and died shortly after his master. Another version has the dog attending the funeral, and passing away at the gravesite after refusing to leave. Either way, both versions agree that this devoted dog was buried with his master.
Although George Washington didn’t actually sign the Declaration of Independence, because he was busy commanding the Continental Army in New York, I’d be remiss if I didn’t include his dogs in this tribute. It is estimated that during his lifetime George Washington had approximately 50 dogs, representing a variety of breeds including Dalmatians, Greyhounds, Newfoundlands, Briards, various Spaniels, countless Terriers, and even many Toy breeds. However, Washington is most famous for breeding today’s American Foxhound. It is evident from his letters and journals that he was a loving and doting dog owner with a sense of humor, who took great delight in naming them. There were Sweet Lips, Drunkard, Madame Moose, Tipsy, Taster, Truelove, Lady Rover and Ragman, just to name a few. It is also apparent from his diaries that the first President of our country may not have wielded the same authority over his dogs as he did with the Continental Army. One tale that has been handed down is about a hound named Vulcan who could not resist a ham being prepared for dinner. As the family story goes, Vulcan snuck into the kitchen at Mount Vernon and ran off with the ham. That evening when the butler had to explain to Martha Washington why the ham she chose was not being served, George laughed.
Sadly dogs who behave rarely make it into the pages of history. We are grateful for Vulcan, Satan, and Queue, for finding a way to get their stories to us today. As for the countless other dogs whose names have been lost in time, we are certain they supported their owners in their own special ways. For a complete list of who signed the Declaration of Independence, please visit the National Archives. There you can find additional resources on the founders of this country, as well as at the Library of Congress. Further information for this article was found at the Presidential Pet Museum.
