Photographing San Francisco’s New Dog Mayor!

For the second year in a row I’ve been lucky enough to be able to photograph an event that could only take place in San Francisco – the swearing in of a dog as Mayor! Friends of Animal Care & Control coordinated the event once again this year, asking its Facebook followers to “elect” the mayor by liking one of the two candidates; Mila the pro-fetch greyhound, or Lucca the pro-treats greyhound. When the polling closed it was a very close race, but Mila ended up nudging Lucca out as the last ballots were counted. It was close enough that Lucca was named Deputy Mayor, so he would be able to serve alongside Mila.

We began the day with a tour of San Francisco for both greyhounds, then ended up at City Hall so that Mila could be sworn into office. She met with the outgoing Mayor Ed Lee, and he wished her well in her upcoming role. Next the Board of Supervisors officially recognized Mila’s status as Mayor, and presented her owner Teresa King with an official certificate.

Once the formalities were over we adjourned to Supervisor Katy Tang’s office for cupcakes and kittens! Here are some of the photos I took of this amazing day – I hope you enjoy them!

Here’s gentle Lucca, Deputy Mayor of San Francisco.

Mila, dog Mayor of San Francisco surveys Crissy Field and declares it “walk-able.”

As Lucca arrived at City Hall his eyes lit up and he seemed to be right at home.

Mila was mobbed by her supporters at the steps of City Hall.

Mila poses for photos at the grand staircase inside City Hall.

P.L.A.Y. generously donated a bed, and since we had brought some kittens with us we let one of them give it a test drive.

Lucca the Deputy Mayor is a really gorgeous dog!

Supervisor Katy Tang and Teresa King (custodian of Mila and Lucca) pose for a photo.

Outgoing Mayor Ed Lee met Mila and the two had a cordial exchange.

Mila waits patiently with Teresa in the chambers of the Board of Supervisors.

Mila eventually sat down and waited patiently.

Then she really sat down – the meeting was long.

Both greyhounds were tired from all the photos and adoring fans surrounding them.

Teresa King is joined by Katy Tang, her friend Norm, and ACC Director Virginia Donohue as they celebrate Mila’s official status as Dog Mayor.

The Mayors pose for a quick photo in the rotunda of City Hall.

We let a three kittens loose in Supervisor Tang’s office, and the staff posed for photos with the little troublemakers.

Jane Tobin from Friends of ACC helped organize the event, and poses with an energetic tabby.

The kittens went crazy in the supervisor’s office – here are some photos of the action.

They had to taste the plants, of course.

Somehow all three of them ended up underneath this ergonomic chair.

But they still took time to make sure they were looking their best.

We asked Mila if she wanted a cupcake – she certainly wanted a sniff!

Even though the kittens were enjoying office time we still had to bottle feed some of them.

Toni brought along some itty bitty kitties.

This little guy was just too cute. He seemed to enjoy these awards too.

Lucca gives Butterball (I just named him that) a sniff. The greyhounds were not aggressive at all.

Lucca gave this little tabby a love tap on his behind.

The Dog Mayors were beginning to get a little tired of all the fanfare. Politics is a tough gig.

Just as we were about to wrap things up one of the kittens sent a fax, or something.

Mila and Lucca prepare to exit the building. People in the hallways were asking for pawtographs.

Just as we were leaving the Chief of Police Greg Suhr asked to take a photo so we obliged 🙂

Finally in the car and heading home – what a day. Here’s both Lucca and Mila enjoying their swanky new P.L.A.Y. beds.