Presidential Candidates Don't Have Pets... But Their Running Mates Do!

Neither Presidential hopefuls Kamala Harris nor Donald Trump has ever had to stoop and scoop, share their meals, or skoosh over on the sofa to make room for a dog. And as we move further into their campaigns, the big question for pet owners across the land (cat ladies included) is whether winning the keys to the White House will change this decidedly sad living arrangement.

Will they ultimately cave? Will they acquiesce to the time-held tradition of this lofty address and adopt-not-shop for a great "First" dog? Or will the floors of this hallowed home remain fur-free and silent from the click-click-click that every owner of a dog with unclipped nails, knows too well.

Why don't we defer to the famous Doris Day line - Whatever Will Be, Will Be. Because at this pivotal moment, all eyes are now on the VEEPs-in-running – and they both have dogs.

Let’s take a peek at Minnesota Governor Tim Walz who is the newly inducted running mate to Kamala Harris.

For those who track on X, they may have enjoyed the exchange between Walz and his wife Gwen, when their Black Lab mix named Scout managed to lock himself in a bedroom. With no key available, workers had to engage an extension ladder and initiate a rescue through an upstairs window. Per the then-Governor when referring to Scout, "He was unhappy about it. But he was laying in comfort, sleeping on the bed the whole time. So, he's out, pretty happy and we've taken the lock off the door to not repeat it."

Spoken like a true dog owner. Now, let’s hear the scoop with J.D. Vance and his pooch?

German Shepherd dog Casper was adopted by Vance and his wife Usha back in 2012 and has already - like most pets other than mine - established his own Facebook account. Here he shares his opinions on political issues with all 111 of his friends and followers. Let’s see how long that stays active!

According to a family friend and senior advisor on the Vance campaign, the couple is totally devoted to the pooch who experienced serious esophageal issues when first adopted, that resulted in constant vomiting (we’ve all been there, J.D.!). Apparently, the situation was so bad, the couple took turns heading home in the middle of the day to walk and clean up after poor Casper. Vance was even known to tote the young pup around in a carrier on his chest.

Awww, another great pet parent.

So, we’re feeling a bit better about the White House pooch situ and are thinking we may not see a “first dog” this term. But we may see a “second dog” wreaking havoc in the rose garden. One can only hope.