Millie (dog) explained

Millie
Species:Canis lupus familiaris
Breed:English Springer Spaniel
Gender:Female
Birth Date:12 January 1985
Death Place:Kennebunkport, Maine, U.S.
Known:Pet of the First Family of the United States
Predecessor:Rex
Successor:Buddy
Owner:George H. W. Bush
Children:Ranger, Spot Fetcher
Appearance:Brown and white fur

Mildred "Millie" Kerr Bush[1] (January 12, 1985 – May 19, 1997) was the pet English Springer Spaniel of Barbara and George H. W. Bush. She was named for Mildred Caldwell Kerr, a long-time friend of the Bushes, which is also the name of Kerr's granddaughter, Millie Kerr.

Millie was referred to as "the most famous dog in White House history."[2] Bush mentioned her in a speech during his 1992 bid for re-election, saying "My dog Millie knows more about foreign affairs than these two bozos" in reference to opposition candidates Bill Clinton and Al Gore.[3]

Millie is credited as the author of Millie's Book,[4] which was released in August 1990 and reached No. 1 on the New York Times bestseller nonfiction list that same year.[5] In 1989, Millie gave birth to a litter of six puppies with the assistance of U.S. Army veterinarian Stephen Caldwell, including Spot Fetcher and Ranger, who became President George H. W. Bush's dog. Ranger was euthanized in April 1993 due to cancer. Spot would later become another presidential pet when George W. Bush moved into the White House.

Millie was portrayed in an episode of Murphy Brown as well as an episode of Wings and Who's The Boss. Millie also made a cameo appearance in The Simpsons 1996 episode "Two Bad Neighbors" in a scene where the former President Bush is jogging with some of his new neighbors.

Millie died of pneumonia in 1997 at age 12 at the Bush Compound in Kennebunkport, Maine.[6]

A dog park in Houston, Texas is named after Millie.[7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: The President Has Floppy Ears – White House Photos Reveal "Spotty" the Dog is the Undeniable Authority . 2009-08-24 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20091221022812/http://dogsinthenews.com/issues/0207/articles/020711a.htm . 2009-12-21 .
  2. News: My Millie is a Famous Dog, Too . . 1991-06-01 . 2008-11-05 .
  3. News: Foreign Affairs; George, Bill and Millie . Gelb . Leslie H . November 1, 1992 . 2010-03-28 . . https://web.archive.org/web/20090923173231/http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/01/opinion/foreign-affairs-george-bill-and-millie.html . September 23, 2009 . dead .
  4. (Paperback:)
  5. Web site: September 30, 1990 Non-Fiction. The New York Times Best Seller list. Hawes. 15 March 2013.
  6. Web site: Gilthorpe . Darla Guillen . Look back at dog-lover George H-W Bush's pets, from Millie to Sully . Houston Chronicle . 5 December 2018 . 7 August 2019.
  7. Web site: Markley . Melanie . City's Millie Bush's dog park ranked best in US . www.chron.com . 21 May 2005 . Houston Chronicle . 7 August 2019.