Lincoln's Dog Fido

[Steenbeb]

I just heard a suggestion from an unreliable source (youtube!) that a photo of Lincoln's dog Fido hung in the white house. I know that a CDV was made of Fido but did a picture hang in the white house?

[Gene C]

I am not aware that my picture "hung" in the White House, although Tad or Willie may have had my CDV prominently displayed.
Can you cut and paste the youtube source?

Fido

[RJNorton]

Gene, this was new to me also, but here is another web page that says this. On the Coastal Canine page here it says Fido's picture "was proudly displayed in the White House." I do not know what the writer's source is.

[LincolnMan]

It sure is a delightful story. I doubt he had a picture of the pooch displayed in the White House though-sorry Fido!

[Liz Rosenthal]

I have what may be a very stupid, silly or inconsequential question.

Is it possible - does anyone think - that the dog-name "Fido" became fashionable as a result of the Lincolns' dog being named Fido? I always wondered why, in literature and conversation, even today, the dog-name Fido has appeared so often as a sort of typical name for a dog. Yet I don't think I've ever actually met a dog named Fido, or read about any other real-life Fidos, other than the Lincolns' Fido.

It seems that a number of terms and phrases uttered by Lincoln or people associated with him are still in the lexicon. It's kind of exciting to discover more examples of these, such as:

"better angels of our nature"
"lame duck session"
"It's best not to swap horses in the middle of a stream"
"hooker" (synonym for "whore," supposedly after General Joe Hooker)

So what about "Fido"? Can this name be added to the list?

[Gene C]

It seems that a number of terms and phrases uttered by Lincoln or people associated with him are still in the lexicon. It's kind of exciting to discover more examples of these, such as:

"better angels of our nature"
"lame duck session"
"It's best not to swap horses in the middle of a stream"
"hooker" (synonym for "whore," supposedly after General Joe Hooker)

So what about "Fido"? Can this name be added to the list?

It's OK with me, but I'd rather not be included on a list with that last one

Fido

[DanielC]

Fido, what kind of dog are you? Tell me your story! I know A.L had to leave you..(not very nice). Like your picture. They must have held out a treat to get you to lay still? Any other photos of you?

Best,

[Gene C]

For more info about me, Roger has some great info, plus another photo on his web site ....
http://rogerjnorton.com/Lincoln17.html

Some people would say I'm a mutt, I prefer the term "hybred"

[DanielC]

Thank you Fido, for the link. Now I recall where I saw the picture before. I like your first photo. You look a bit more casual, and relaxed. Do tell how you met your demise? Did aforementioned drunkard mistake you for a varmint?


Best

[Liz Rosenthal]

Thanks for the link! While I knew that the Lincolns gave Fido to a neighbor before traveling to Washington, I didn't know that they had been given such detailed instructions for Fido's care. I hope that the Roll family complied with the instructions!

[Gene C]

It's a sad story Daniel. There was a drunk sitting at the curb. I went over to him. He seemed to think my intentions were not honorable and stabbed me. I managed to make it down to the local church, where I passed away. (Life is hard, but God is good)

[DanielC]

I'm sorry to hear that Fido. Nothing like an angry drunk to ruin a good night out. God is great Fido, and I'm sure somewhere up in the great beyond your with your family playing fetch the stick! I must admit I do blame this on Lincoln. If he only could have put you on that train... He didn't think you would survive? Or would be stressed out? Are you serious? Your early owner was a softy. I mean Mitt Romney strapped his dog Seamus to the roof of his wagon in a carrier and took a twelve hour jaunt for vacation. I'm not talkin some pee wee sized toto dog, but an irish Setter, probably your size. Early republicans were soft. Thanks for your story Fido.

[Linda Anderson]

I have what may be a very stupid, silly or inconsequential question.

So what about "Fido"? Can this name be added to the list?

Liz, I don't think that it's a silly question at all. Psychology Today has an article on Fido in which Mary is blamed for Fido being left behind.

"Why Are Dogs So Frequently Called 'Fido'"?

http://www.psychologytoday.com/blog/cani...alled-fido

[Gene C]

Thanks Linda, an interesting article.
To bad the author did not state where they got their quote about Mary & Fido, from Herndon perhaps.
Another dig at Mary?

[DanielC]

Fido you are right. This appears to be yet another attempt by the author to smear Mrs. Lincoln. Goats would be allowed to roam the halls of the executive mansion but you would not be. This falls squarely on the shoulders of the president. In his many instructions to your caregivers, he should have instructed you not to approach strangers at night. (Especially those who appear heavily intoxicated) if you had only been allowed to hop on board you would have been living the life of Riley rather than the goat.
Your reward for your loyalty to your freind was to roam the night in search of a freind and to receive the same reception Sec. Seward did.