Harry S. Truman once said, “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog,” and today we happily celebrate Dogs In Politics Day.

Dos have been around in politics probably as long as there have been politics. And throughout history, they have played a very important role in the lives of Presidents.

From  one of President Obama’s most tightly kept secrets – what would be the first family’s first pet (A 6-month-old Porguguese water dog, named Bo) to Richard Nixon’s famous Checker’s speech (in which he denied using any of an $18,000 campaign contribution for personal use, except for a dog his daughter received, named Checkers), to Franklin Roosevelt’s famous dog, Fala, dogs have always had their paws in political affairs.

You can celebrate today by learning more about these influential pups. Visit the Presidential Pet Museum, a site entirely dedicated to showcasing the lives and history of pets in the White House. It’s both fun and educational, as it tells interesting stories about how these Presidential pets have played a role in U.S. history.

And even though your dog may not be a Presidential pup (although, I’m sure he/she could be), give him some special treatment today in celebration.

Image from /www.opensecrets.org.