On Thursday, political animals filled the Cannon Building’s Caucus Room to celebrate the Animal Health Institute’s 16th Annual Pet Night, along with some friends from Hollywood. Uggie the dog from “The Artist” and Tennessee the cat, who played Buttercup in “The Hunger Games,” were this year’s celebrity guests.
Uggie, who resides in Los Angeles with his trainer Omar Von Muller, flew to Washington in a first-class seat and dined on chicken. “You can’t put him underneath [the plane], he’s the world’s most famous dog,” said Trudi Boyd of AHI, who accompanied Uggie and Von Muller on a tour of D.C. Thursday.
While Uggie has now retired from acting, he did make a brief cameo recently in “The Campaign,” the political comedy starring Will Ferrell and Zach Galifianakis. Von Muller confirmed that Uggie has a book coming out this October, and that the Jack Russell has his own app. That’s right, there’s an Uggie app.
Tennessee, who won’t be appearing in the next “Hunger Games” film, dined on baby food mixed with cat food, which trainer Cathy Pittman called “kitty candy.”
Political pets also made an appearance. Rep. Michael Grimm’s, R-N.Y., dog Sebastian, who greeted Uggie by barking, is a favorite around the office. According to Carol Danko, Grimm’s communications director, when the congressman drives between New York and D.C., “the dog goes with him.”
Rep. Jeff Denham’s, R-Calif., French bulldog, Lily, also put in an appearance, rubbing snouts and posing for photographs with Uggie.
Pet Night wouldn’t be complete without the annual Cutest Pets on Capitol Hill contest, which received 250 submissions from staffers and House members. With prizes for the Dog Party, Cat Party and Independent Party, unlike in human Washington, there’s a prize for every side.
