The First Family Pets

Notable Pet Residents of the Blaine House

Since 1919 when James G. Blaine's daughter, Harriet Blaine Beale, donated the Blaine House to the people of Maine in honor and memory of her son, Walker, who died in France in 1918 while serving in World War I; 21 governors have lived at the Blaine House. They have appreciated its political value, and they have shared it with wives, children, and various pets, who have given a personal dimension to this National Historic Landmark.

Percival P. Baxter (1921-1925), loved animals and from an early age, he bred Irish Setters. During the early Blaine house years, Governor Baxter owned an Irish setter named Garry Owen and had a special doghouse built for Garry on the South lawn, close to the residence. It became an interesting focal point for tourists and passers-by. Garry was a great favorite of children who greeted him each morning on their walk to school.

In Governor Baxter's office, Garry would lie quietly on the floor or on a couch waiting patiently for his master to finish the day's work. Garry even had a special pass on the Maine Central Railroad so he could ride with the Governor instead of in the baggage car.

Garry Owen died on June 1, 1923 and Governor Baxter created a sensation by ordering the American Flag on the State House lowered to half-mast on the day of his funeral. The commander of the Maine department of the Grand Army of the Republic angrily protested this action. The chief executive consented to raise the flag, but only after the dog's funeral services in Falmouth.

Ralph Owen Brewster (1925-1929), Governor Baxter's successor, also had a fondness for animals. His two boys, Charles and Owen, were offered a small Eskimo dog they had admired each Sunday on the way to church. The dog, "Kim," named after the Kipling classic Governor Brewster often read, was brought home in April 1927.

The boys adored the pure white Eskimo Spitz, though Kim's manners left something to be desired. On one occasion, he entered the Family Dining Room just before a meal and, leaping from chair to chair, proceeded to lap up every butterball on the table. He also had a habit of jumping on people, to the ruination of ladies' stockings. A two-week trip to obedience school in Hallowell straightened Kim out, and he returned to the Blaine House a "perfect gentleman."

Lewis O. Barrows (1937-1941) gave a standing invitation to visitors and Legislators who had to stay in Augusta on weekends. A less exalted but equally welcome visitor arrived at the Blaine House at lunchtime each summer day. Before sitting down to eat, Governor Barrows would open the window to admit "Peanuts," a gray squirrel. Peanuts would jump onto the Governor's knee to receive his daily treat from a bowl of nuts on the table and then quietly exit through the open window.

Horace A. Hildreth (1945-1949) had four children who loved living in the Blaine House. They had 2 dogs and a pony kept in the box stall behind the home.

In contrast to the Hildreths, with their young children, Fredrick G. Payne (1949-1952) and his wife lived alone but had a magnificent Chinook dog named "Dirigo." Dirigo was the scourge of the Kirschner meat man, whose white coat bore a suspicious resemblance to that of a Camden veterinarian with whom Dirigo had had a traumatic experience. Whenever the Kirschner truck pulled into the Blaine House driveway, Dirigo would greet the Kirschner man with bared fangs. The delivery man sensibly refused to budge until the dog was put back into the house.

As a boy, John H. Reed (1959-1967) had been enamored by horses and racing. At fifteen, he had raced horses on the frozen Aroostook River. The rising young businessman became an enthusiastic gentleman sportsman and, like his father, brother, and grandfather, the owner of a string of harness racing horses. The Reeds had not been living at the Blaine House long before "Daisy" came into their lives. A big squirrel who "raised numerous families in our trees," Daisy had become tame enough to eat out of the hands of family members. She would scold them "when she thinks we've not taken good enough care of her," and climb all over them when they sat outdoors. Daisy, who knew Mrs. Reed's voice and always came running when she called, amused guests at teas by sitting outside the front door, clamoring for a cookie.

Kenneth M. Curtis (1967-1975) did some extensive redecorating in the fall of 1969, including the renovation of his daughters' playroom, where the daughters cared for their pet parrot, "Sam."

Today, Governor John E. Baldacci (2003), his wife, Karen, and their son, Jack, reside in the Blaine House. Their pets include two English Springer Spaniels; Sam and Mia. Murphy Brown Baldacci, also a Springer Spaniel, was the Baldacci Administration's unofficial First Dog. Murphy passed away in May 2006.