California's First Dog, Sutter Brown, Has Died

California's first dog, Sutter Brown, has died, from complications of cancer.
 
Sutter was a 13-year-old Pembroke Welsh corgi who helped soften the governor's image.

In a conversation earlier this month with Capital Public Radio’s Ben Adler, Governor Brown described Sutter as “a good antidote to the seriousness of government.”

“Because dogs and animals, they play,” he said, “but they don't play the same kind of games that lobbyists and politicians play. So I find his play a welcome relief from the other activities that I engage in.” The governor spoke warmly of Sutter, calling him a “funny little dog” and “a character.”

The dog could be seen outside the Governor’s Manson every Halloween with the governor as they greeted trick-or-treaters.

Governor Brown adopted Sutter from his sister after winning the 2010 governor’s race — though he said originally the dog was an uninvited visitor.

“My sister, Kathleen, moved to Chicago, and dropped him off on Christmas and told us later that he was a permanent guest,” Brown said. “But he endeared himself to my wife and I, and in fact to the neighbors and to everybody who got to know him.”

A governor's spokeswoman says Sutter passed away peacefully this afternoon with Governor Jerry Brown the and First Lady Anne Gust Brown at his side. He was laid to rest at the family ranch in Colusa County.
 
Sutter's sister, Colusa, will assume the duties of First Dog.