Owney (dog)
Owney displayed at the National Postal Museum | |
| Other names | Owney, the Postal Dog |
|---|---|
| Species | Canis familiaris |
| Breed | Terrier mix |
| Sex | Male |
| Died | June 11, 1897 (aged 10 est.) Toledo, Ohio |
| Resting place | Smithsonian Institution 38°53′53″N 77°00′29″W / 38.898°N 77.008°W |
| Occupation | Railway Mail Service, Railway Post Office Guardian, Traveller |
| Employer | U.S. Post Office |
| Notable role | Companion |
| Years active | 1887–1897 |
| Owners | Mail Clerk, Albany, New York |
| Awards | 1,017 medals |
Owney (ca. 1887 – June 11, 1897) was a terrier mix adopted in the United States as a postal mascot by the Albany, New York, post office about 1888. The Albany mail professionals recommended the dog to their Railway Mail Service colleagues, and he became a nationwide mascot for nine years (1888–1897). He traveled over 140,000 miles throughout the 48 contiguous United States and around the world as a mascot of the Railway Post Office and the United States Postal Service. He was the subject of commemorative activities, including a 2011 U.S. postage stamp.