Evening star., 1923-12-14
Pleads for Laddie Boy.
Writer Asks Nation to Remem-
ber Former White House Pet.

To the Editor Of The Star:
While very properly we are taking
great interest in the new White House
dogs-the fox terrier, Peter Pan; the
Airedale. Laddie Buck, and the latest
arrival, the snow-white collie, Oshkosh
whose pictures soon will have been in
newspapers, humane and other journals
throughout the country. let us not for
get dear old Laddie Boy, the late Pres
tdent Hardings Airedale, who so sud
denly had to give up his place as first
dog of the land at the death of his
beloved master. 7 always took special
interest in Laddie Boy because he
was allowed by his kind-hearted mas
ter and mistress to feature in many
charitable benefits. AS a participant
In my special hobby, humane educa-
tion work, Laddie Boy was promine mt.
On float all his own he headed the
1922 Be-Kind- to- Animals parade; dur
ing Humane week, that year and
this. he has appeared in picture and
cartoon begging help for his unfor
tunate kin of the speechless creation;
and in his own city he has personally
attended more than one benefit for
such, two or three, at least, for the
Animal Rescue League, through which
several hundred Worn-out horses and
thousands of his canine and feline rel
atives for almost ten years have been
sheltered. the lost restored to owners.
If possible, and the rest disposed of
in the most humane manner for their
future.
I can't help but feel that the silent
appeal of his true dog loyalty and
constant companionship with his mas
ter during moments OF relaxation
from state affairs must have had not
a small share in keeping stimulated,
strong as it was. the Presidents mer-
ciful sentiment, which resulted in un-
numbered kind deeds and words for
the friendless and oppressed or man
and beast alike. and IT is not at all
strange that one of his last acts was
the signing of a pledge in far Alas
kan humane society never to mis-
treat a horse or dog, mans best
friends
There is a touch of real pathos in
the thought of Ladies' daily hopeful
watching last August for the return
OF his master, of the reported mourn
full bowling at the time of the death,
and the final slow realization that he
had felt for the last time the kind
hand upon his head: and then 80 soon
after the fower-laden world-honored
casket had been borne away to have
to leave the home he had guarded so
loyalty. and during his grief for the
old to have to make new friends In
new surroundings. Though we be-
lieve these new ones are good ones
ana IHaL Iduule mas DcCOHiS oil Cduy
well known in the Massachusetts
town. yet friend. and ] felt bit re-
sentful when several weeks ago a
Washington news article reported him
in the disgrace of arrest" for tres
passing on a neighbor's lawn with
out a properly marked collar. and
though, being only a dog, he may not
feel this as an indignity imposed
upon him, yet in honorable memory
of his great and good master and as
a sign OF continued remembrance of
his faithful guardianship in his for
mer exalted position at the big white
home, let's not let Laddie Boy drop
out of sight, still less make comment
of his misfortunes. however slight,
but remember him in his place by
the side of the sterling Christian
charactered Chief Executive, and thus
help the world appreciate a bit more
the services and love of faithful
canine friend.
We welcome heartily the new ones
at the White House. but meanwhile
don't forget Laddie Boy,
VIRGINIA W. SARGENT.