Pete's Dragon Inspired Dog Names

Pete, or Peter, is a fairly popular name for both dogs and people so it’s not at all surprising that this name has been popping up regularly in popular culture for quite some time. One of the earlier examples of a dog named Pete in popular culture could be found in the White House, for a while at least. Pete was the most infamous of Theodore Roosevelt’s many dogs, a Bulldog type with a bit of an aggressive streak who took a bite out of several people, including naval officers, cabinet ministers, diplomats, and policemen. His stint at the White House came to an end when he chased French Ambassador Jules Jusserand down the hall and tore out the bottom of his pants, and he was eventually moved to the family’s Sagamore Hill home. One of the best-known canines named Pete was an ongoing character in the Our Gang series by Hal Roach, a series better known today as “The Little Rascals.” The original canine actor was a dog named Pal, a Pit Bull type dog with a distinctive partial marking around his eye which makeup experts for the show filled in to create a complete circle. Pal was eventually replaced in the role by his son Pete in 1930.

In 1943, the town of Lexington, KY had a dog named Smiley Pete as well. While many of the individuals in town would have been more than happy to adopt him, the canine vehemently resisted being indoors and chose instead to live on the corner of Main and Limestone, where a courthouse sits today. He was the only dog allowed to roam freely by local police and he dined on food from places like Brandy’s Kitchen, Elliston’s Turf Bar, and occasionally Carter’s Supply company for actual dog food. Everyone in town loved him and many people contributed both care and funds to ensure his health and safety, including providing him insulation, paying for preventative medical care, and ensuring he was properly dressed in a big red bow for the holidays. He remained on the corner from 1943 until he passed away in 1957, fathering at least one litter of puppies and only being confined when needed to protect him from a rabies scare. 

More recently, in February of this year, an elderly hunting dog made headlines when he gave his life for that of his owner, Stephen Parisi, and their other foster and daycare dogs. The group was out hiking in New Jersey when they stumbled across a black bear who was surprised enough to lash out; Pete held off the bear while Parisi got the other dogs to safety then came back and managed to scare off the bear. While Pete’s injuries were too drastic to save him, the outpouring of love and sympathy that his story has garnered has helped to remind people that bringing home a rescue dog can rescue you too, no matter what age they are.