"PRESIDENT'S AIREDALE TURNED OVER TO USMC"

FROM THE NORTH SHORE OF MASSACHUSETTS TO 'THE HALLS OF MONTEZUMA'

Swampscott, Massachusetts (JFK+50) Breaking news from the Summer White House here in Swampscott, President Calvin Coolidge has made the executive decision that his Airedale*, 'Paul Pry**', will "make a better mascot" for the United States Marine Corps than he has as a pet at the Summer White House.

Paul Pry, "who was recently muzzled," was "turned over" to Marine Lieutenant Edgar Allen Poe.  The Coolidges, however, will not go dogless.  They still have their white collie, 'Rob Roy,' who reportedly "has retained a more dignified manner."

*Airedale is a dog breed originating in the valley of the River Aire in Yorkshire, England.  Known as 'King of the Terriers" because it is the largest of the breed.  Temperament is given as intelligent, outgoing, friendly, alert, confident & courageous.  Apparently 'Paul Pry' was an outlier.

**Paul Pry was half-brother of President Harding's 'Laddie Boy,' & was known to snap at the ankles of White House staffers.  Mrs. Coolidge described him as 'perfectly uncontrollable.'  The Marines couldn't handle him either, so he ended up his doggie days in a Navy Yard.

SOURCES

"Calvin Coolidge's Paul Pry," www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/

"President Exiles 'Paul Pry' Because Of a 'Mean Streak'," The Evening Star, Washington, D.C., July 1, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Airedale Terrier

Photo by Angela Montillon

www.flickr.com/

"WHATS THIS WORLD COMING TO ANYHOW?"

 WHITE HOUSE COLLIE GETS INVITED TO JOIN COOLIDGES ON POTOMAC CRUISE

Washington, D.C. (JFK+50) On May 10, 1925, The Sunday Star reports that the White House collie, 'Rob Roy'*, managed to get himself invited to join President and Mrs. Coolidge on a cruise down the Potomac on The Mayflower.

The Star says that yesterday afternoon, just as the Presidential limousine was about to depart, Rob Roy "trotted out to the car, placed his forefeet on the running board, and looked into Mrs. Coolidge's face."

For good measure, the dog "let out a pitiful and long drawn out whine."

Next thing you know, Rob Roy is "on board" the limo on his way to a cruise.

The Star says that 'Paul Pry,' the White House airedale who was left behind at the Executive Mansion, was most likely asking...

"What's this world coming to, anyhow?"

*Rob Roy (1922-1928) a white male collie who became President Coolidge's favorite pet.  The President said, "his especial delight was to ride with me in the boats when I went fishing."

SOURCE

"Foxy Collie Wins Mayflower Cruise by Simple Ruse," The Sunday Star, Washington, D.C., May 10, 1925, Chronicling America, Library of Congress, www.loc.gov/

Rob Roy

National Photo Company 

1924

Library of Congress