JULY 2025

FALA

- Our Favorite Presidential Pet - 

By Rev Protodeacon George A. Haloulakos

Baby Boomers fondly recall from studying 1940s American History that a very special dog was a popular if not important figure during those times.  Fala, the Scottish Terrier, was the personal pet and constant companion to President Franklin D. Roosevelt (FDR) and provided a pleasant diversion if not a morale booster to a nation embroiled in World War II.  He traveled everywhere with the President including long historic journeys (e.g., Atlantic Charter Conference in Newfoundland with Prime Minister Winston Churchill), visiting President Camacho in Monterey, Mexico plus nationwide inspection tours of various US defense plants, the Quebec Conferences and even a sea trip to the Aleutian Islands!  Fala can also be seen on film in newsreels highlighting FDR's 1944 meeting in Hawaii with General MacArthur and Admiral Nimitz.

A constant presence in the Oval Office, the dog received thousands of letters from people and had a special secretary to answer his mail.  Fala was the poster dog for the US Army promoting its K9 Corp with the honorary rank of private as well as a symbol for war bond drives.  When FDR passed away in 1945, Fala was photographed attending his beloved master's graveside burial.  Fala was so popular that there are three (3) statues in his honor: the most notable is Fala next to his owner, President Roosevelt at the memorial dedicated to the 32nd US President in Washington, D.C., with another statue placed at Puerto Rico's "Paseo de los Presidentes" in San Juan and a third statue at the FDR Presidential Library and Museum in Hyde Park, NY.

 

Fala (April 7, 1940 - April 5, 1952) -- was presented at age four months to President Roosevelt -- with an official American Kennel Club name of "Murray the Outlaw of Falahill" after a Scottish ancestor.  However, over time the nickname "Fala" was the one used by FDR and the public.  When Fala became a member of the Roosevelt family in the White House, he came with the ability to do simple tricks: sit, roll over, jump and curl his lip into a smile!  In 1942, a film was made about Fala and his life in Hyde Park and is now shown to the many visitors to the Roosevelt Library and Museum.  Needless to say, FDR and Fala were inseparable.  In the years following FDR's passing, Fala became the companion of First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt residing quietly in Val-Kill, Hyde Park until his passing in 1952.  America's favorite presidential pet is buried just a few feet away from his master and mistress with a memorial visited by thousands of dog lovers each year.  It is a stirring reminder of how the love of, and for a precious pet, leaves pawprints on our hearts.

There is a wealth of content on this amazing dog to be found on the Internet from the National Park Service, the FDR Presidential Museum, classic 1940s newsreel footage and many other sources.  If you have special memories and thoughts about Fala, please share them on the GNN FACEBOOK page or by writing to me directly at: Haloulakos@gmail.com

NOTES: All photos are from the public domain.