Babydog Justice, an English Bulldog, was born on October 27, 2019, and soon became a cherished gift from Senator Justice’s children, Jay and Jill, that same year.
At the time, Senator Justice’s grandson had just turned two. With no idea what the word ‘puppy’ meant, he kept asking, “Where did that baby dog go?” as the two played in the Christmas presents. Senator Justice and his family immediately knew the name Babydog was sticking.
Early in the COVID-19 pandemic, Babydog began traveling with Senator Justice to work. Her debut came during Senator Justice’s briefing before Super Bowl LV, where she playfully discouraged large gatherings and famously predicted that the Tampa Bay Buccaneers would score exactly 31 points in their victory.
Babydog quickly captured the hearts of West Virginians everywhere, bringing much-needed joy during uncertain times. In June 2021, Babydog became the official mascot of West Virginia’s COVID-19 “Do It for Babydog” vaccination sweepstakes.
As the Mountain State’s most famous and beloved pup, Babydog has graced major events like Senator Justice’s State of the State address and the Republican National Convention in Milwaukee, as well as shows like Fox & Friends. She can often be found traveling DC and West Virginia, shaking paws and bringing smiles to everyone she meets alongside Senator Justice.
Babydog resides in Lewisburg with her dad, mom, and sibling, Ellie, a Boston Terrier. Her favorite things are chicken nuggets, napping, riding shotgun in her dad’s Suburban, and head scratches from everyone she meets.