Joey's Take: Legacy of a Portie Lover

My condolences go out to Splash, Sunny and Cappy on the death of their companion, Sen. Edward Kennedy. Not only was the senator family, he opened some pretty important doors – including the one to the Oval Office – to the three Porties. Because of his sponsorship, they were firsthand witnesses to many moments of history.

The trio were trusted advisers and an integral part of the senator’s staff. He relied on them to break the ice, size up political nominees facing Senate confirmation, lower the stress levels in committee meetings, rearrange the landscaping and, most importantly, build bridges with the opposition. Kennedy was so impressed with the intelligence, abilities and loyalty of the Porties that he arranged for Splash to write a book and another Portie to become the first dog.

The Kennedy Porties, once as common a presence on Capitol Hill as the senator himself, have been absent for many months as they devoted their time to comforting him in the last short chapter of his life. Judging from media accounts, they have been sorely missed. They had a knack for letting staff know when a meeting had gone on too long and for keeping the inflated egos of Congress in check. Kennedy recognized their influence and encouraged it.

In opening doors for his dogs, Kennedy created opportunities for all Porties. So even though I disagreed with him on many issues, I’m the first to admit that the senator – and Splash, Sunny and Cappy – are the inspiration behind my congressional campaign.

Rest in peace, Senator, and may Splash, Sunny and Cappy be comforted as they mourn the death of a true friend and beloved family member.

Dialogue With a Dog

When Joey, our Portuguese water dog, heard that one of Sen. Kennedy's Porties was going to write a book a few years ago, he took over the office chair and begged me to let him write the Republican response.

"You? What do you know about Republicans? Or Democrats?"

"We may look like fou fou dogs, but Porties are the smartest thing on four legs," he barked. "And I'm a red-blooded pitbull when it comes to politics."

When Joey heard a Portie was moving into the White House, he barked a little louder, strutted a little more and wagged his tail a little harder. But then this week he heard Bo was going to write a book. There's been no living with him since.

"If that inexperienced pup who's still wet behind the ears thinks he's got something to say after just one month in the White House, then it's time for the howl of experience to be heard," Joey told me.

"What would you write about?"

"Hey, I've been around the block a few times. I've peed on my share of bushes, and I've marked a lot of real estate," he bragged. "I've lived through two presidential elections and Asa Hutchinson's gubernatorial campaign. Believe me, I've got things to say." Joey looked up at me with his soulful round eyes. He really knows how to use that look.

"OK, I'll give you a trial run," I told him. "I'll let you write the blog once in awhile."

Joey stood on his hind legs, put his front paws on my shoulders and licked me joyfully. "You won't regret it," he told me. (He always has to have the last word.)

So tomorrow, it's Joey -- unleashed.