Pushinka

Pushinka (Пушинка)
Other name(s)“Fluff”[1]
SpeciesDog
BreedMixed
SexFemale
Born(1960-11-30)November 30, 1960
Nation fromSoviet Union Soviet Union
Owners
Parent(s)
Mate(s)United States Charlie
Offspring
  • The pupniks
    • Butterfly
    • Streaker
    • White Tips
    • Blackie

Pushinka (Russian: Пушинка, lit. 'Fluffy'), a dog, was given by the Soviet Premier Nikita Khrushchev to the President of the United States, John F. Kennedy, in 1961. Pushinka was the daughter of Strelka, who had travelled into space aboard Korabl-Sputnik 2.[3]

Pushinka arrived at the Kennedy White House after Jacqueline Kennedy had spoken to Khrushchev about Strelka at a state dinner in Vienna. Mrs. Kennedy asked about Strelka's puppies, and one was subsequently sent by Khrushchev to the White House.[4] Pushinka was examined by the Central Intelligence Agency at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center over fears that she might be concealing an implanted listening device. Pushinka was x-rayed, screened with a magnetometer, and inspected by sonogram. She was found to be free of subversive devices.[5]

The White House electrician and kennel manager, Traphes Bryant, trained Pushinka with peanuts to climb up a ladder to Caroline Kennedy's playhouse and slide down the other side.[4][6]

  1. ^ "Subject Files: Dog records: Pushinka". John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum. 1961–1963. Archived from the original on 2022-11-18. Retrieved 2022-11-18.
  2. ^ "Pets - John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum". 2006-08-22. Archived from the original on 2006-08-22. Retrieved 2023-10-13.
  3. ^ Colin Burgess; Chris Dubbs (5 July 2007). Animals in Space: From Research Rockets to the Space Shuttle. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 207. ISBN 978-0-387-49678-8.
  4. ^ a b Alison Gee (6 January 2014). "Pushinka: A Cold War puppy the Kennedys loved". BBC News. Retrieved 20 January 2021.
  5. ^ Stanley Coren (11 December 2012). Why We Love The Dogs We Do: How To Find The Dog That Matches Your Personality. Simon & Schuster. p. 71. ISBN 978-1-4711-0940-9.
  6. ^ "John F. Kennedy Presidential Library & Museum: Pushinka (White House Dog) and Her Puppies". JFK Library. Retrieved 20 January 2021.