Updated Feb 20, 2012 - 6:39 pm

Josh Romney campaigns for dad, talks about family's beloved dog

listen Listen: Josh Romney stumps for father Mitt

David Boze speaks with Josh Romney about his father's campaign, and the latest media story involving the family dog.

Republican presidential candidate former Massachusetts Gov. Mitt Romney, left walks on stage after his son Josh Romney introduced him at his Colorado caucus night rally in Denver, Tuesday, Feb. 7, 2012. (AP Photo/Gerald Herbert)

Dog lovers have taken up issue with Mitt Romney's treatment of a family dog.

Romney's son, Josh says that the family dog in question is as cherished as him, if not more so.

Romney's oft-told story of traveling with his Irish setter, Seamus, on a family vacation in 1983 has even set off a "Google bomb." Romney has said he put the dog inside a crate and strapped it to the roof rack for a 12-hour drive from Boston to Canada.

"That dog was a real family member," Josh tells 770 KTTH's David Boze Show. "When you've got five boys in a small car, that dog insisted it was coming with us, one way or the other."

As animal lovers take issue with Romney's actions, like those who protested outside last week's Westminster Dog Show, Josh had a very clear response, "That's BS man."

Josh says when he thinks about the trip and bringing the dog a long, "He loved it up there. He jumped up on his own.

"He was, honestly, part of our family, and someone we still talk about regularly."

Listen to David Boze's full interview with Josh Romney

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com

Alyssa Kleven, MyNorthwest.com Editor

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William Lawn wrote...

It has nothing to do with dog lovers

February 20, 2012 6:23 pm

It has everything to do with Willard. Face it.
Willard is a loser, a plastic faced, insincere, guy who way anything.
Another Bush 2, trying to outdo DAAAAADDDYYYYYY.
Please, can we not elect ANOTHER one?

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AJ McCarrell wrote...

Lawny

February 20, 2012 6:55 pm

I'm surprised you're not claiming Romney's invading your head and driving you to suicide.

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CH wrote...

* Josh Romney campaigns for dad, talks about family's beloved dog . . . .

February 20, 2012 9:03 pm

beloved dog strapped to roof rack for a 12-hour drive. Wow. How does he treat his wife? Stands on the back bumper? I thought Newt had problems.

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Hayduke wrote...

Didn't they have luggage they could have strapped to the roof?

February 20, 2012 9:47 pm

I mean, if they're doing an overnight trip, they must have had some suitcases or duffels, no? So where was that? Oh, safely in the way back of the car, I'm betting. And you certainly wouldn't want your luggage on the roof where it would be exposed to the elements.
The "beloved family member," on the other hand? No problem! I mean, he crapped all over himself because he was having so much fun, right?
What does this say about the soul, yes the soul of a man who would do this to an animal, much less a supposedly beloved pet?

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Drool wrote...

We Used to Go On Vacations the Same Way..with a Twist

February 20, 2012 10:54 pm

The dog was crammed in the car in his own little spot between things in the back INSIDE and the luggage rode on top.

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Bill Law wrote...

Anyone who knows anything about dogs

February 21, 2012 5:19 am

Knows they love to ride with the wind in their face. Assuming the weather is suitable, any dog would rather be in a place like that than confined inside a car. Why do you think dogs love riding in the back of a pick-up truck? Of course, this is not the issue at all. The issue here is that it gives mindless left wing loons another excuse to hate someone who isn't one of them. Without hate, there is no meaning to their otherwise meaningless lives.

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Bill Law wrote...

Or if confined inside a car

February 21, 2012 5:20 am

They always hang their heads out the window?

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Bill Law - giving new meaning to twisting facts to fit....

February 21, 2012 8:31 am

Wow Bill - I'm shocked. Putting a dog on top of your car -even if it's in a dog crate- is considered animal abuse - Anyone caught doing that today would be arrested for it. Yet you find ways to twist this into left wing attacks on a Republican. Amazing.

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CH wrote...

Mr. Bill did you ever stop to think that your dog hangs his/her head out the window . . . .

February 21, 2012 6:43 am

because of the gas that comes out both ends? :O

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Bill Law wrote...

Bingo!! There it is

February 21, 2012 6:57 am

The "mind" of a liberal. Their teensy little undeveloped brains ALWAYS go there. Their clever talk is like that of little boys in a bathroom when there are no grown-ups around.

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Bill, Bill, Bill

February 21, 2012 8:32 am

When did you turn into a troll?

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messiah101 wrote...

Billy Boy Believes

February 21, 2012 8:59 am

Dogs actually enjoy riding in the back of a pick up. Billy Boy that dog you see running side to side in a pickup is scared to death any time the driver makes a sharp turn or comes to a sudden stop the dog is thrown around as he is not contained and slips on his nails (ever see a dog slip on a wood floor? try that at 60 mph.Funny that you of all people believe that Libs are the ones with under developed minds

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messiah101 wrote...

I've driven over 1,000,000 miles and

February 21, 2012 9:02 am

Have only seen a dog in a kennel on the roof of a car maybe once or twice (perhaps it was the Romney family) Thank heavens Williard didn't take his Jet up to Canada

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Bill Law wrote...

Troll?

February 21, 2012 9:28 am

OK, so sometimes phonies pretending to be former Marines talk like that too.

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Ah -yes, the old 'you can't be a former Marine' routine....

February 22, 2012 8:46 am

Bill, you really stoop low to try to get at people don't you? I AM a former Marine (ok - no one is really a former Marine. Once a Marine, Always a Marine - but my time in the Corps ended well over 20 years ago). You can disbelieve it all you like - I certainly don't need your acceptance to validate my truth. Now go get your jollies with people who fall for your trash.

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Irish Rover wrote...

Some of you need a reality check

February 21, 2012 9:40 am

Were taliking about selecting someone to be the president of the United States, that must deal with a nuclear Iran, the next great depression in the US, etc. The manner in which he transported his dog in 1983 is immaterial. Even today, thousands of dogs are transiting the globe in small dog-carriers in the hold of aircraft. Veterinarians prescribe medicine to relax them for what is a stressfull trip for an animal. It was normal then and continues to be so today. How about spending some of your protest efforts on HUMAN cargo who are put in trucks and brought accross the border, who are raped, assaulted, and sometimes left to die in the desert. Get a life.... and choose a President who has the knowledge; skills and abilities to tackle our nations real issues.

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messiah101 wrote...

Irish Rover

February 21, 2012 10:22 am

Big Difference,those people coming North are coming of their own free will they pay the smugglers, they know exactly that the experience is probably not going to be pleasant.Tying a kennel to the top of a cars roof for a 12 hour trip is animal cruelty any way you cut it.Let me asak you would you transport your pet that way? I wouldn't the dog would ride inside on my kids laps if neccesary

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Hayduke wrote...

"Immaterial," Irish Rover?

February 21, 2012 10:01 am

Even though it happened decades ago, Romney was still an adult at the time. It speaks to his lack of judgement and compassion that he would treat his dog like, well the thousands of people whose jobs he off-shored.
But I'm sure he at least cares about the HUMAN cargo, as you do. I mean, who else other than illegal immigrants is Willard going to use to mow his lawn?
http://content.usatoday.com/communities/onpolitics/post/2011/10/mitt-romney-hire-illegal-immigrant-rick-perry-/1#.T0PayIe2R9Q

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Hottip wrote...

Dog on the Roof

February 21, 2012 12:04 pm

Didn't you see Vacation with Bernie? Yes the dog goes on the roof. So what's the problem?

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COFFEEWA wrote...

vacation with chevy chase

February 25, 2012 12:28 pm

they put dead gramma on the roof-why are the liberals shocked. this is what hollywood does and isn't hollywood the standard. if gramma goes can't the dog be put on a roof

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ontheboards wrote...

1983 People!

February 21, 2012 1:15 pm

In 1983 I rode with 4 siblings in the back of a Lincoln from FL to CA. Non of us wore seatbelts. We slept in the foot wells, and on the ledge of the back window! Guess what?! I am still alive to tell about it! For those of you who have NOT read the whole story, they did fasten a windscreen to the carrier. The dog was not up there with the wind just hammering him. For all we know the dog could have been stressed out thinking he WASN'T going on the trip and the is what caused the dog to have an accident. To sum it up...It was 1983. The dog was fine. Get over it. By the way, how is the HOPE AND CHANGE working for you?

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messiah101 wrote...

ontheboards

February 21, 2012 3:39 pm

Hope and change are going JUST GREAT. Every time I check my 401K balance I smile. Hows your look? I'm up about 10% just since the 1st of this year.I'm mature enough to understand that the White House does not have a magic button that changes everything over night.Things were left in ruin from the past Administration and Obama has done a nice job putting the country back on course.Of course the oil companies are po'ed and are trying to teach the President a lesson by raising gas prices but any thinking person understands whats going on

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FormerMarineSgt wrote...

Wow - Diversion attempt! How novel...

February 22, 2012 8:51 am

Gee 'ontheboards' - an attempt at diverting us from attention on a right wing candidates stupidity by bringing up Obama and how you think he's failed. You know, every dirtbag tries this and it's gotten old. We see right through it and all too often it's because of the lies or untruth the diverter tries to point to. 'Hope and Change' are doing fine. New applications for unemployment are lower than they've been since Bush was still President, The Dow Jones is higher than it's been since Bush was still President, Housing starts are up, the economy, while still down, is showing many signs that it's on it's way back up. And all that with the Republicans attempting to block every single thing Obama does. Yup, 'Hope and Change' are doing fine thank you. Unlike your Romney/Santorum clowns. They get beat in every poll against Obama.

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TheSymbolForBoron wrote...

Sounds like what Santorum has in mind for women.

February 21, 2012 2:00 pm

And how Gingrich treats his wives when he finds a better one.

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Updated Feb 20, 2012 - 6:39 pm

Josh Romney campaigns for dad, talks about family's beloved dog

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