Leader the dog was a rescue shelter schnauzer that was given to Senator Dole by his wife when he was elected Majority Leader of the Senate in 1984. The pup would become a fixture in the Senator’s office, having his own set of food and water bowls in the office for when he would regularly visit and routinely was included in photos with Senator Dole. Leader was even included on several campaign buttons for Senator Dole’s 1996 presidential campaign run. Constituents and friends loved to give Senator Dole gifts that included schnauzers, so there are many paintings, figurines and other depictions of the breed in the Object Collection.

Discussion Questions:

• Do you think a dog would be given the same amount of freedom in Senate offices today?

• What rules do you think political pets have to abide by if they visit the Capitol and Senate?

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