Goodbye, Mr. President: Lily’s Last Letter

This is me at work, writing.                                    And after a hard day working, I like a cozy nap.

You know me, President Biden; I have written to you a few times over the last four years, especially about your pets, German Shepherds Champ and Commander, and the insufferable Willow, the cat. I know you are a kind man because you understand those of us who are not human but who guide your citizens, accompany them, work for them and even—dare I say love them? That’s a lot of health benefits for the economy not to mention the financial boom we provide with major chains like Pet Supplies Plus and Pet Smart. Then there is the grooming industry, the veterinary health industry, the animal training industry, the pet food industry, and you name it for all of us who curl at your feet and only want to be loved. It’s a little like, hmmm, shall I say some members of Congress these days? 

My Mam told me you are leaving the White House, the leadership role as President of the United States. This means I will not be writing you about the pets you had in the White House and giving you advice on understanding them. I loved that opportunity, sort of like being the Ann Landers of pet relations. I’m told the new President doesn’t have pets and doesn’t relate to the importance of the environment for the animal kingdom and for humans. I feel your pain Mr. President. Maybe he just doesn’t like the animal kingdom except I understand for chameleons, which is not surprising. But I have one big wish for him and that is that he would get a dog. A dog will soothe him, require that he respond with love on every issue. My Mam, who researches everything, told me that many scientists who study interspecies relationships, have demonstrated that petting a dog and looking into its eyes produces oxytocin in the dog and the human alike and this is the same hormone that bonds mothers to children. Now that’s better than picking up the drug on the streets, isn’t it Mr. President? This is a primary reason why we make excellent therapy animals. Furthermore, when the hormone is released, the human becomes more relaxed, more kind, more understanding. I think the new president needs this, don’t you? And did you know that we dogs have an extra eye lid muscle that circles each eye and that wolves do not have so that when we move those muscles, we communicate something to our humans? Something like, I need to go outside or how about dinner now, or time for a walk. A dog in the Oval Office could send signals to the president about a foreign dignitary with whom he is discussing national security, a signal that says, “better not trust him,” or “be careful here; he wants too much money.” Yep, one look at those furrowed eye lids and the president would know to be very careful!! And we would all be safer. Plus, I think a dog could add to the First Lady’s ‘haute couture’ of the black hat tilted for intrigue and the long black coat like something out of “Wicked.” Rather fetching, I would say (pun intended). Imagine the First Lady walking a dog around the White House grounds so the dog could sniff out stray cats under bushes, immigrants of the animal kingdom and the First Lady would chase them away saying things like, “Go home!” and “Respect our borders!” The First Lady would call it exercise; the dog would call it spying.

Without a dog, the new president will be woefully lonely so claimed President Harry Truman who advised successors that if they wanted a friend in Washington, they should get a dog. But now, Mr. Past President, you are vacationing after four years of incredible leadership and 50 years of dedicated service to the country. An association of presidential scholars has ranked every one of our 47 presidents, and you come in at 4^th place, after only one term, while the top three served two terms. You may even climb higher when future effects of your policies are measured. My Mam thinks you have been an underappreciated president because social media, as used by your adversaries, employed misinformation and disinformation to plant discord against every initiative and every achievement you proudly proposed or gave to the American people. 

So, I advise you to get a dog again. Now the Secret Service won’t be so intrusive, and you will have a new pal who will play with you and even advise you against things unseen, like Willow, the cat ready to pounce when you need to read or reflect or nap. As for me, I’m thinking of starting an advice column for pets of congresspersons and senators. I’m sure there’s a lot of angst in those homes. Pets need a voice! What do you think, Mr. President?

Reflection 

This week I’m giving you a few thoughts from some writers and thinkers who have influenced us over the centuries about one of God’s most loyal and communicative creatures for humankind. Which of these speak to you? Can you find evidence—so full in the Psalms and Hebrew Testament literature—that celebrate the existence of animals for the benefit of humans, especially for our spiritual needs? See if you can find any of these and write them down for yourself and share them with us if you wish. 

“If I have any belief about immortality, it is that certain dogs will go to heaven and very, very few humans.” James Thurber

“A dog has the soul of a philosopher.” Plato

“I dedicate this book to my beloved fifteen-year-old black lab, Venus, whom I had to release to God while beginning to write this book. Without any apology, lightweight theology, or fear of heresy, I can appropriately say that Venus was also Christ for me.”         Fr. Richard Rohr, OFM

Lily will be back, probably as an advice columnist for the pets whose owners are in Congress. She already misses former President Joe Biden and promises her prayers, along with Mam’s, in appreciation for what he gave to our nation. He was a selfless and intelligent leader, a man of faith. History will be kind where we have missed the mark.