From the ArcaMax Publishing, Cats & Dogs Newsletter:
http://www.arcamax.com/news/catsanddogs/s-173663-818254
Laddie Boy was an airedale terrier owned by President Warren G.
Harding and was a celebrity during his administration. Laddie Boy had
his own hand carved chair to sit in during cabinet meetings. The White
House held birthday parties for the dog, invited other neighborhood
dogs to join, and served them dog biscuit cake.
Newspapers published mock interviews with the dog. Purportedly, the
dog howled constantly the 3 days prior to the President's death at the
Palace Hotel in San Francisco, knowing of his master's imminent
demise. In memorial of President Harding, newsboys collected 19,134
pennies to be remelted and sculpted into a statue of Laddie Boy.