Post Office Dog

Owney, the post office dog
Owney, whose remains are displayed in the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C., is one of the most famous – and certainly most widely traveled – animals of all time. In 1895, his visit to Milwaukee made headlines. Courtesy National Postal Museum

One of the most popular exhibits at the National Postal Museum in Washington, D.C. is a dog named Owney. One of the most famous – and certainly most widely traveled – animals of all time, Owney’s 1895 visit to Milwaukee made headlines. Carl Swanson photo

In 1895, a globetrotting mixed-breed mutt named Owney paid a brief call on Milwaukee. As was his custom, the dog arrived aboard one train and departed a few hours later by another. His home was anywhere U.S. mail traveled by railroad – and in the 1890s that was everywhere. (more…)

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