Fluffy dogs are abundant in pop culture works. This is because there are so many dog breeds whose appearance can be described as fluffy. However, perhaps one of the most famous fluffy dogs in history was presidential dog Pushinka. The dog’s name, which literally translates to “fluffy” in the Russian language, was a mixed-breed given by former Russian leader Nikita Khrushchev to former US President John F. Kennedy during the Cold War. Even with the hostility between the two nations throughout this period, the two leaders were in constant communication and often gave presents to each other.

According to stories from the past, former First Lady Jacqueline Kennedy was chatting with Khrushchev in a state dinner and casually asked about the puppies of Russia’s space dog Strelka to keep the conversation going. Then, a few months after the state dinner in Vienna, Strelka’s puppy, named Pushinka, was delivered to the White House. Despite being unexpected, the Kennedys appreciated the gesture and found Pushinka to be adorable.

After a thorough investigation and check by the FBI, Pushinka was eventually named as an official pet of the White House. The gift also prompted Kennedy to correspond with Khrushchev, writing him to express his gratitude for the gift. Pushinka won the hearts of everyone in the White House, especially the Kennedys’ other dog, a Welsh Terrier named Charlie. In fact, the two dogs mated and Pushinka gave birth to a litter of puppies a few years after she first set foot on the White House.

Pushinka’s puppies, or “pupniks” as JFK liked to call them, played a huge role in distributing Strelka’s lineage into other parts of the United States. When news of the puppies’ births got out, thousands of Americans wrote to the Kennedys and asked if they could adopt some of the puppies. Out of all those who made the request, Jacqueline chose two children from the Midwest and gave them one pup each. The rest of the “pupniks” were given to her family in the East coast. It is believed that up until today, there are dogs from Strelka’s bloodline who still exist.

While Pushinka may have been a low-key White House pet, it is widely believed that she was a major factor in preventing the onset of World War Three. According to the 2013 book entitled The Letters of John F. Kennedy, written by historian Martin Sandler, the amiable relationship and correspondence between Kennedy and Khrushchev was crucial in preventing any attacks between the nations. This friendliness includes the exchange of gifts, including Pushinka. At the end, the two leaders were able to come to an agreement and ultimately put an end to the 1962 missile crisis in Cuba. This is why Pushinka is often referred to as the dog who “saved the world from nuclear destruction”.