Dog comes to Gov. Wolf’s aid in political commercial
The Boston terrier “smiles” into the camera, runs joyfully through a grassy field and cuddles on a park bench with Gov. Tom Wolf, who is then smothered with doggy kisses.
It’s 30 seconds of cuteness that runs in prime time on local television channels with the “voice” of a dog named Libre urging people to re-elect Gov. Wolf.
“People say a dog is a man’s best friend. I say a Wolf is mine,” says the actor who does the voice-over for the dog in the commercial.
Libre is an unpaid volunteer in the commercial, which was shot in August in a park in Philadelphia. He is also the namesake of Libre’s Law, the legislation that the governor signed in June 2017 to make animal abuse a felony in Pennsylvania. The governor used a pen and Libre used a paw to sign the legislation as cameras clicked.
I’ve seen this commercial several times over the last two weeks, and I think it’s an incredibly smart way to court the votes of animal lovers. It also wins praise from the president of Humane PA PAC.
“It’s a very feel-good ad. I don’t think I have ever seen such a highlevel politician do anything like this,” said Elissa Katz. “Governor Wolf has been very responsive on animal issues.”
The commercial opens with a 2016 photo of an emaciated and dehydrated 7-pound puppy whose hairless body is covered with bloody sores and skin lesions. He was left to die by the Lancaster County farmer who owned him. A delivery man saw the puppy and called authorities.
Euthanasia was discussed and dismissed. Janine Guido of Speranza Animal Rescue in Cumberland County gave the go-ahead for a 30-day stay at a hospital, where the puppy was successfully treated
for demodectic mange and sepsis. Animal lovers donated $27,000 to pay the veterinary bills for the puppy Ms. Guido named Libre.
Libre, whose second birthday was in February, is now a healthy 28 pounds. He was famous before the Wolf commercials, thanks to frequent visits to the state capitol and appearances on Facebook and other social media.
I reached out to the Wolf re-election campaign with questions about the TV commercial. I was especially interested in knowing how well the governor and the dog know each other.
“Governor Wolf and Libre have become very close friends over the years,” a staffer responded by email. “Just this summer they celebrated the one-year anniversary of Libre’s Law together. Libre even got his own puppy cake for the occasion ... Libre has truly become a beloved and valued member of our team.”
Libre’s Law ensures stronger protection for dogs and other animals, including horses. On Wednesday, Gov. Wolf signed his second major piece of animal protection legislation. The Motor Vehicle Extreme Heat Protection Act allows police, humane and animal control officers to remove a dog or cat from an unattended vehicle if they believe the animal is in imminent danger. Perhaps we have finally found a truly nonpartisan issue.
“Compassion is not a political party issue. Both parties have huge supporters on animal issues,” said Ms. Katz.
Humane PA PAC was formed 11 years ago and has 46,000 followers on social media, according to Ms. Katz. The political action committee works to get legislation and public policy enacted that protects animals from abuse and neglect.
Humane PA PAC has endorsed Gov. Wolf and other animal friendly candidates in state races in the November general election. Go to www.humanepa.org and click on “endorsements.”
“Libre is such a good sport,” said Ms. Katz. “He is so well-behaved, and he poses for photos with everyone. I had my picture taken with him.”
Libre enjoys public appearances because he loves everyone, especially children, Ms. Guido said. His celebrity status has helped attract 175 hard-working volunteers to the 6-year-old rescue group, she said.
“He knows how to work a crowd, and when he sees a camera he poses. He did well at the commercial shoot because he always knows what to do.”