Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1891-03-21
THE WHITE HOUSE SoGs.
Dash, Jack and Rab and the Peculiar
Characteristics of Each.

characteristics of Each.
The White House dogs are no unimportant
party of its life below stairs. Neither Mrs.
Harrison nor, indeed any member of her fam
lily like dogs around the house, and so the
animals who have the proud satisfaction Of
dwelling in White House kennel are content
with il and the surroundings that the gardens
afford for their everyday life. The pet dog
of the establishment and looked upon by both
the President and Mrs. Harrison as valued
friend, is the Scotch collie, Dash. Dash is
fighter, not because he likes it particularly.
but just on general principles. He came with
the family from indianapolis and his high
tempered proceedings there have not deserted
him. On the contrary he seems 10 feel that
great deal more depends on his ability TO chew
up any other animal who fooishly risks his fur
within his reach. In Indianapolis and here for
a time, Dash took great deal of pleasure in
following the family carriage down town or
anywhere else ii happened to he going. Es-
peclally when the ladies emerged from their
shopping. they would usually find Dash in the
middle of conflict with some other rash
animal. The scene of the fight was under the
carriage, which territory Dash felt bound to
protect from all intruders. These little incon-
sistencies of temper made him rather an I'M
wise companion and now the special province
Of Dash is TO keep the White House grounds
free from unsafe lntruders. When the weather
permits. little Benjamin Mckee enjoys above
everything else romp in the grounds with his
friend DASH who is very fond of children. de-
spite his warlike disposition on the road. Some
of the encounters in which Dash has come out
a victor told by Mrs Harrison with great
enjoyment.
Jack, the fox terrier. has a record. but an ex-
tremely useful one. He is a ratter and has
caught and killed thirty-six rats in thirty min
utes. His mission in life is to nose around in
the most innocent sort of way and dispatch his
victims before they know what struck them.
He Is regarded valuable auxiliary to the
domestic working force, although at the same
time an object of intense detestation to the
White House gardeners. Ii he is watching the
coming OF the enemy the fact that he will
completely pillow up a flower bed does not dis
turb him III the least.
The latest accession to the kennel is ST.
Bernard puppy. about two months old now
and growing in keeping with his imposing
longs to Mrs. Russell Harrison. who intends to
take him to her home in Nebraska shortly
The White House dogs in the Cleveland adj
ministration notable pair, the big
mastiff Kay and Hector. who managed to make
himself acquainted with good deal of ground
despite the hindrances thrown in his way by
Mrs Cleveland.
Dogs were such frequent presents to Pres
ident Arthur that one day when another canine
offering arrived by express he asked just how
many dogs there were already in the stable.
The new arrival made eight. They were so nu-
merous finally that their collars were taken off
and they were let go wherever they wanted
most of them of course failing to come back