Since the time of Lincoln's presidency, friends and neighbors told stories of his soft heart concerning animals. The tales range from Lincoln's replacing baby birds into their nests to getting down in the mud to pull a pig out from under a fence. He had a special love of 'yallar dogs' and cats. He fed one cat at the dining table, with the White House gold tableware! Mary was not so pleased. She was afraid of dogs, which was reasonable at the time: they could bring rabies, fleas, ticks, disease to her beloved sons...and dirty the house. Lincoln was an excellent horseman, a necessity for a country lawyer who had to travel for his business.
Algeo places Lincoln's actions against his times.
Farm animals were sources of food, slaughtered by hand on family farms. Some dogs were bred for specific purposes and were prized, but all other 'mutts' were routinely, viscously, killed for public protection against disease and for population control. There were no veterinarians, no preventative vaccinations, no special foods for pets.
Fido came into Lincoln's life by 1855 when he was at a low point in his career and deeply depressed. By the end of the year Lincoln's "hypo" was better and he was reentering politics. Based on current research on the effects of animal companions on human well being, it is possible that Fido offered Lincoln much needed therapy.
The newly elected President Lincoln, planning his family relocation to Washington, D.C., choose to leave behind his beloved animal companion. Fido had been having a hard time dealing with all the noisy campaign activity around the Lincoln household. The boys and Abe loved the dog but Abe knew Fido would suffer during the long trip to D.C. and in the hectic White House life style. Fido deserved to live out his life in peace and familiar surroundings. His son's boyhood friends took Fido in....along with Fido's favorite horsehair couch!
We also learn about Lincoln's relationship to his family and neighbors, like his long friendship with his free African American barber William Florville who marched in the funeral parade. As did Old Bob, his horse who was also left behind in Springfield. Old Bob was draped in black mourning, and the riderless horse followed the hearse.
Abe and Fido is an enjoyable read. It will appeal to all animal lovers, Lincoln lovers, and those interested in 19th c history.
I thank NetGalley and Chicago Review Press for access to the e-book for a fair and unbiased review.
Abe and Fido
by Matthew Algeo
Chicago Review Press
Publication date April 15, 2015
ISBN: 9781556522222
$22.95 hardcover
