Not Just Obama's Breed: Ted Kennedy's Dog Splash on Life in Washington

Since October is Adopt-a-Dog month, it only seems natural to remember the late Senator Edward "Ted" Kennedy, a well known animal lover in his own right. Kennedy supported a wide range of animal welfare laws including banning dog fighting, cock fighting, horse slaughter, and abuse often found in puppy mills. He also helped pass the Pets Evacuation and Transportation Act that resulted from Hurricane Katrina in which many pet owners were separated from their animals.

Long before the popularity of First Dog Bo Obama, the senator, a proclaimed aficionado of Portuguese Water Dogs, penned his own children's book, My Senator and Me: A Dog's-Eye View of Washington D.C. He was also said to have been involved in helping President Obama choose a breed for the First Family. Kennedy's own dog, Splash, a fellow Portuguese Water Dog, serves as the book's narrator and turns out to be the most famous canine on Capitol Hill. In the story, young readers follow Senator Kennedy and Splash through a busy day in D.C., from press conferences to meetings with school groups to Senate debate and votes. For kids who are too young to remember Senator Kennedy, this book serves as a nice reminder of the person behind the politics.