This July 4th weekend we want to introduce you to a dog whose name you all already know. While the name Fido has become synonymous with the word dog, it first became popular due to Abraham Lincoln’s yellow mixed-breed. The name Fido comes from the Latin word fedelitas, meaning faithful. What is interesting to note is that Fido never actually lived in the White House. When Abraham Lincoln won the presidential election, Springfield, IL erupted into a cacophony of sound in celebration. This included fireworks and the firing of cannons. Poor Fido was scared of the noises and the family thought it would be extremely stressful on him at the capital where there would be constant noise and activity. They made the hard decision to re-home him. They eventually gave Fido to Abraham Lincoln’s long time friend John Roll, along with several requests: Fido was never to be tied up outside alone. He was a house dog and allowed inside. He was not to be scolded for muddy paws (the streets of Springfield with notoriously muddy). And he was allowed to join the Roll family for dinner. In a sad but ironic twist of fate, Fido was also “assassinated.” Not long after Lincoln’s death, Fido approached a drunken man and playfully put his paws on him as was his custom. The drunken man stabbed Fido who later died of his wounds. As you celebrate this July 4th we ask you to be considerate of animals such as Fido, as well as our many Veterans and active military members, for whom Fireworks and other such displays can be a source of trauma. For more information info Fido check out: https://www.presidentialpetmuseum.com/abraham-lincolns-fido/ and/or https://americacomesalive.com/abraham-lincolns-dog-fido/#first-photo-of-a-presidential-pet You can can also read the book “Abe & Fido” by Matthew Algeo #haywoodcountyanimalshelter #newleashonlifeadoptioncenter #waynesvillenc #clydenc #cantonnc #maggievalley #lakejunaluskanc #haywoodcountync #abelincoln #fido #abeandfido #july4th #adoptadog #animalwelfare #president #abrahamlincoln #adoptadog #adoptadogsavealife #shelterlife #dogsofinstagram #dog #pet #animals #yelladog #yellowdog #ashevilledogweirdos (at Friends of Haywood County Animal Shelter) https://www.instagram.com/p/CQ4EzDogY2M/?utm_medium=tumblr
