Lucky and Labrador Retriever

L is for Lucky and Labrador Retriever

Ronald Reagan (1981-1989) and William J. Clinton (1993-2001).

 

Lucky

President and Mrs. Reagan moved into the WH in 1981 without a dog. In December, 1984 that changed when they were gifted with Lucky, a Bouvier des Flandres, a small black ball of fluff.  He would later grow to the size of a pony, according to First Lady Nancy Reagan. Lucky was an active dog that needed plenty of room to roam and exercise and despite training efforts didn’t exactly fit into the WH style. He frequently walked the President instead of the other way around. Lucky didn’t last long in the WH; a year later in December, 1985, Lucky was taken to the Reagan’s California ranch to live out his life. Lucky died on January 5, 1995 and is buried at the ranch.

 

12/6/1984 President Reagan and Nancy Reagan holding a dog meeting with 1985 March of Dimes Poster Child Kristen Ellis from Hebron, New York in the Roosevelt Room

 20 Feb 1985, White House, Washington D.C., USA — President Ronald Reagan and British Prime Minister Margaret Thatcher walk Reagan’s dog Lucky on the White House lawn. — Image by © Bettmann/CORBIS

11/1/1985 President Reagan aboard the helicopter with his dog “Lucky” on his lap

3/7/1985 President Reagan with Nancy Reagan and Dog Lucky in oval office

Is this a dog or a pony?

Labrador Retriever

President Ronald Reagan had several ranch dogs, one of which was a black Labrador retriever named Millie.

Ronald Reagan driving his jeep with his dog on the ranch (maybe Millie?)

President William “Bill” J. Clinton had a chocolate Labrador Retriever named Buddy four years after he entered office. He was going through a particularly tough time as President and he needed a friend. Three-month old Buddy filled that need and also provided great photo ops for the WH. Buddy was named for Clinton’s recently-deceased great-uncle Henry “Buddy” Grisham who was a big influence in his life. The very public feud between Buddy and Socks (we’ll discuss Socks later) was followed with interest and somehow he and Socks got together and wrote the book Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets.  After leaving the WH, Buddy moved with the Clintons to their house in Chappaqua, New York where he romped and played with Clinton. Unfortunately, on January 2, 2002 Buddy was playing in the front yard and ran into the street where he was hit by a car and died of his injuries. He was 5 years old.

Two years later in 2005 Clinton adopted another chocolate Lab, naming him Seamus. Let’s hope he took better care of this dog than the last one!

Library of Cats will post the review on our “S” day when we talk about Socks!!!