“If you want a friend in Washington,” Harry Truman once said, “get a dog.”
Truman is one of my favorite presidents. He faced the more consequential challenges of the 20th century – dropping the first atomic bomb, desegregating the military, recognizing the state of Israel. And he did it with a no-nonsense attitude.
If you visit Independence, Missouri, devote a half day to visiting Truman’s presidential library. It’s impressive, but a more intimate window to Truman’s world requires a short walk. From the museum head south about a mile to his house. It’s also open to the public.
The white, two-story wood-frame home, with the detached garage, reminds me of the mid 20th century homes of our grandparents. Neat, simple, comfortable, functional. The house reflects the attitude of the man who clearly understood Washington and the need for a pet.
Donald Trump should take the advice of Truman, who had a cocker spaniel, to brighten his day.
A stage full of Democrats can’t wait to unseat him next year by attacking his lack of character and chaotic first term.
Courts across the country blocked his most aggressive policies on immigration, presidential power and environment.
Despite his decrees, a growing number of present and former officials answered congressional subpoenas to offer evidence for an impeachment case.
Outraged Republicans and Democrats forced him to cancel hosting world leaders at his Florida report.
Even his most loyal Republican defenders blasted his military decision in Syria.
He could use some friends – or a loyal dog.
Trump is the first president in nearly 120 years not to have a canine companion in the White House. The last president not to have a dog was William McKinley. (McKinley’s pet was Mexican a double-yellow-headed parrot, which he named Washington Post, according to the Presidential Pet Museum.) Things did not end well for McKinley. He died of gangrene a year into his second term after a failed assassination attempt.
Trump often compares himself to Abraham Lincoln and peppers his interviews and speeches with Lincoln references.
“If you can believe it, Abraham Lincoln was treated supposedly very badly, but nobody’s been treated badly like me,” Trump said, apparently forgetting Lincoln was assassinated.
Lincoln could be pet inspiration. When Lincoln left Springfield, Illinois, for Washington, he left behind the family dog, Fido. Lincoln was a great fan of cats but he and his family also had a few dogs, including Jip, at the White House.
Trump admires Andrew Jackson and a portrait of the seventh president hangs in the Oval Office. Jackson’s pet was a horse, but he’s also said to have a parrot, Poll, that was taught to swear. Maybe Trump could teach a parrot to say “No collusion” or “Make America Great Again.” That’d be a great attraction at his rallies.
I was glad to see Trump enjoy another American tradition this week when he attended Sunday’s World Series game at Nationals Park. He didn’t throw out the first pitch though. Trump is the first president since William Howard Taft not to have thrown a pitch at a Major League Baseball game and I can understand why. When his image was shown on the giant TV screen Sunday night, the crowd booed and chanted “lock him up.”
Trump should practice his delivery over the winter so he’s ready for next season’s opening game.
In the meantime, he should consider adding a pooch, pony or parrot to his White House family.
