John F. Kennedy inspired and touched the lives of many people during his brief time as our thirty-fifth president. Many of these individuals have been instrumental in the compilation of this book. I am forever grateful to them for their assistance, generosity, and patience and for providing the facts that might otherwise have been lost to history. Ambassador Caroline Kennedy has often said that her father’s time is becoming part of history rather than living memory. I’m thankful that President Kennedy touched my life and provided a memory that has lasted a lifetime.
The John F. Kennedy Presidential Library and Museum is an inspiring memorial to President Kennedy and is staffed by an amazing group of knowledgeable individuals who have complete command of the president’s records, documents, files, photographs, and films that preserve the memories of the Kennedy administration. I am deeply indebted to the archivists and staff, most notably audiovisual archivist Laurie Austin, whose research and knowledge of the Kennedy photo collection contributed so much to this book. To archivists Stephen Plotkin, Alan Goodrich, and Abigail Malangone, your patience in answering all our questions and locating records has proved invaluable.
Sincerest thanks to Tom McNaught, former executive director of the John F. Kennedy Library Foundation, for his encouragement and for seeing the potential for such a book. Special thanks to US Secret Service agent Clint Hill (retired) and Lisa McCubbin for their advice, assistance, and work on the foreword of the book. Your expertise made all the difference.
To those who were witnesses to history, Senator Ted Kennedy, Ann Gargan King, Ted Sorenson, Richard Donahue, John Siegenthaler, Burke Marshall, Tish Baldrige, Peggy Foster, Secret Service agent Tom Wells, Katherine Paramore, Doug Fout, Dr. Arthur Bernstein, DVM, Dr. Lewis Berman, DVM, and especially Nancy Tuckerman, I offer my undying gratitude for sharing your lifetime of experience and memories.
Most books have research assistants who are the unsung heroes of any project, and I am grateful to the voices of reason Karen Ang, Jory Lockwood, and Logan Varsano, who were integral to the fact-finding for The Dogs of Camelot. American Kennel Club president Dennis Sprung provided the full resources of the AKC registry and library for additional research.
The driving force of my coauthor, Joan Lownds, and Lyons Press senior editor Holly Rubino kept the project on track and focused. You will always hold a special place in my heart for believing in this project and seeing it through to its completion. To our wonderful agent, Adam Chromy of Movable Type Management, we thank you for your hard work, dedication, and expertise.
My soul companion, Patti Fernandes, who has been there every step of the way during this incredible journey—thank you for encouraging me to follow my passion. Finally, to my mom, Patricia Walsh Reed, who provided the opportunity to experience history firsthand and for your love, strength, and belief that I really could finish what I started.