Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

Eric Schultz with Louie
Principal Deputy Press Secretary at the White House

“Louie is a rescue from the Washington Animal Rescue League. When we first went to look for a dog, Louie was already reserved. But I had such a strong feeling about him that I called them the next day to see if he was still taken—and they said that his adoption had fallen through. So the day after that, we went to adopt him. I have human friends too, but I can tell you that there’s nothing better after a tough day at work than coming home and hearing his pitter-patter.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

Eric Schultz's dog Louie
Principal Deputy Press Secretary at the White House

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

…Anita Decker Breckenridge with Georgie
President Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations

“Georgie came into my life last summer. My husband and I were in Martha’s Vineyard with the president when we heard about a breeder in Boston. We went to go see that breeder one day, and the next thing we knew, we had been promised a puppy. He’s the one steady companion I know will always be happy with me. I think Truman’s saying holds true: He is my best friend.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

…Anita Decker Breckenridge's dog Georgie
President Obama’s Deputy Chief of Staff for Operations

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

…Blake Burman with Cody
Washington Correspondent, Fox Business Network

“Cody was my wife’s dog. So when I started dating her, he was around all the time and we became buds. At first, I wasn’t really sure how to play it, but he’s just so natural and so cool that it’s been a lot of fun. We only recently moved to Washington, and one of the first people that we met in our building was because of him. Some of the closest friends that we have back in Miami we met walking the dog. So, he’s enhanced our lives in more ways than one.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

…Blake Burman's dog Cody
Washington Correspondent, Fox Business Network

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

‡Karen Finney with Mabel
Senior Advisor, Hillary for America

“Mabel was a birthday present to myself when I turned 41. The first time I met her, she came up and sat next to me in this way that she does when she wants you to like her, and she crossed her little paws and I knew she was my dog. During the 2008 campaign, when I was at the DNC, I would bring her to my office at night when we were there late. I have to tell you, it was so calming for people—they would offer to walk her for me. Dogs are just so loving. They make you happy. At my current job? I bring her to work when I can.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

Robert Higdon with Digby
Board of Directors, The National Theatre

“I was going to get a Portuguese Water Dog, but Vicki Kennedy, Ted Kennedy’s widow, lives around the corner from me, and when I saw her walking the two of hers, I realized it was like walking two kangaroos down the street. A Yorkshire like Digby was a better option for me. When I got him, I had no idea there was a hole in my life that big. He has changed my entire life and brought me so much happiness and pleasure. He eats on fine china. And he has proper linen, so when he’s finished, he covers his plate up with his napkin. His plate is from the Bernardaud Louvre collection; it’s our everyday china, but he eats off that—and he doesn’t eat dog food.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

ˆSheila Johnson with Max
CEO, Salamander Hotels and Resorts

“Max is so protective of me, he doesn’t want any other dogs or even humans near me. He wants me all to himself! And that’s kind of a special feeling. Dogs never make you feel lonely; they fill a certain void in your life and in your heart. There’s something about when they look at you, something in their eyes, that I think works the serotonin in your brain. They are so loyal, a lot more so than human beings.”

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

ˆSheila Johnson's dog Max
CEO, Salamander Hotels and Resorts

Written by Adam Rathe

Photographed by Jared Soares

‡Rep. Ed Whitfield with Mint Julep and Henry
Congressman from Kentucky

“In politics today, there are a lot of very strong philosophical differences, and it’s really not conducive to working out problems. So in Washington, dogs are great animals to have because they’re so loyal and so friendly. They’re nonjudgmental. Having the dogs in the office loosens people up a little bit. The dogs make the office feel less rigid and a bit more spontaneous. Henry is so friendly that he will literally chase people down the halls.”