Dogs proved themselves women’s best friends in global protests against Donald Trump’s inauguration as president, with “good boys” and “good girls” the world over taking walkies for a cause.
“Pups against patriarchy” and “Paws and laws off women’s bodies” were among the placards displayed by dogs taking part in marches and shared on social media over the weekend.
LOOK AT THESE GOOD BOYS pic.twitter.com/kGArlLU0XJ
— ️ (@bbyvirg) January 21, 2017
Several signs pointed out the ease with which dogs understood boundaries that were apparently lost on the new president.
A golden, curly-haired individual was snapped stating that “real dogs don’t grab pussy”, while a German shepherd teamed waterproof booties with a sign reading, “Even I understand no means no”.
A terrier with a sign reading “I am not a hate mongrel” and a self-identified “nasty bitch” were snapped at the Women’s March in Seattle – as were a couple of cats.
Dogs at the women's march pic.twitter.com/6YTMayP19I
— Milena (@milenaaleta) January 21, 2017
Someone literally brought their cats to protest... God I love Seattle pic.twitter.com/pS3zj2r9C0
— dubstep kitteh (@DubKitteh) January 21, 2017
Plays on the word “bitch” were a popular choice for dog (owners) attending the march, following reports that Trump called the former secretary of state Condoleezza Rice that word in a keynote address in 2006.
Another former secretary of state, John Kerry, took part in the Women’s March in Washington DC with his golden labrador retriever, Ben – unadorned by a placard, but named after the country’s first diplomat, Benjamin Franklin.
John Kerry just showed up at #womensmarch with his dog. Enormous cheers as he moves through the crowd pic.twitter.com/ONq0HT4vRo
— Aubrey Whelan (@aubreyjwhelan) January 21, 2017
One dog wore a homemade shirt stating his intention to resist, in his own small way, Trump’s proposed border protection with Mexico.
@bbyvirg @garfep pic.twitter.com/mwDPSWKrP9
— Huck (@Sean_Huckel27) January 21, 2017
In Madison, Wisconsin, a dog vowed to “sit and stay with Planned Parenthood”.
Dogs on the march! #madison #WomensMarch pic.twitter.com/RT9t7Hd8Ii
— borealis (@borealwoods) January 21, 2017
And in Point Loma, San Diego, a shaggy, apparently very tolerant dog appeared as Trump in a suit and auburn hairpiece, identifiable by the sign: “Putin’s poodle”.
A Point Loma woman dressed up her dog for the Women's March @10News pic.twitter.com/ee0ZhwkQfS
— Matt Mendes (@10NewsMendes) January 21, 2017
The pictures of the pack of politically empowered pooches were widely shared on social media, including in Dogspotting: a Facebook group of nearly half a million users who post photos of strangers’ dogs.
The sizeable and rigid online community of “spotters” observe a set of rules, the most important being “no known dogs”.
@bbyvirg @mrbry pic.twitter.com/lwiTvVvJ4F
— Antigone Girl (@antigonegirl500) January 22, 2017
Much of the activity on Dogspotting over the weekend was photographs of dogs seen at Women’s Marches, prompting a stern reminder from one of the group’s administrators about projection of political agendas.
Jeff Wallen reminded members on Saturday that it was against the rules to attribute a human ideology to a dog.
“You MAY say ‘I spotted a dog at so-and-so rally’ because that is true, but please do not project your agenda on the dog,” he said. “It was there because a human brought it there, not because it supports your cause ... You aren’t here to protest, you aren’t here to debate, you are here to Dogspot.”
The specific rule is against “issues posts” and aims to preclude comments or posts that will politicise or “disrupt Dogspotting”.
“If a dog is at a political rally, then your post should read, ‘I spotted this dog at a so-and-so rally’, not ‘I spotted this dog supporting the agenda I hold’,” outlines the pinned post. “Dogs do not share human aspirations, they support the getting of treats and that is about it!”
Wallen’s post prompted heated discussion among the group’s members, though many were in support of an online space free of politics and full of dogs.
“Start banning even if temporary,” replied one member in regards to people who flouted the rules. “I come here for doggos and to get away from the rest.”
