Kentucky Dog Names

Fido was the Lincoln family pet from 1855 to 1865. He was a mixed breed dog who is said to have accompanied the future president any time he made a trip to town. The yellow dog would wait for Lincoln as he visited the barber shop or other local businesses, and tales are told that Fido would actually carry packages back to the Lincoln homestead. However, Fido would not accompany the family to Washington after Lincoln's election. During a local celebration, Fido became so distressed by the noise of cannon fire and fireworks that Abraham decided it might be best for Fido to remain in Illinois. Fido was entrusted to a carpenter who had worked for the Lincoln family named John Roll. The Roll family took Fido as their own. In fact, one of the stipulations of being allowed to keep Fido was allowing him to stay inside the Roll home.

Fido was a rather indulged pet. Lincoln gave several rules for the Roll family to follow. Lincoln supposedly stated that, should Fido come inside with muddy paws, the dog was not to be scolded. In addition, Fido was to be allowed to join the family at mealtimes and be hand-fed table scraps. Finally, Fido was accustomed to sleeping on a horsehair sofa, which the Lincoln family left with the Roll family so that Fido would not feel out of place. 

Fido actually came to the Lincoln home in Springfield to pay respects to his former master. He would only outlive Lincoln by one year. Fido was killed by a drunken man who flew into a rage when Fido jumped up on him with muddy paws - something the pup had always been allowed to do without reprimand. An interesting note: Dogs are referred to as "Fido" so often because the term fido in Latin means "to trust believe, confide in" - a perfect description of the human relationship to his dog.