Bichon Frise, ‘Louie,’ Celebrates America’s 250th Anniversary

Chewing a hole in his owner’s leather handbag, smearing red lipstick everywhere, and taking apart her antique Art Deco necklace one seed pearl at a time are all in a day’s work for “Louie,” Prince Louie Edward Capet Petit, Karen Petit’s Bichon Frise.

Once Petit got past Louie’s antics, the Bichon’s bad-boy behavior helped inspire her to write a children’s trilogy about the American Revolution.

The first book in the series, “Celebrate America! The People Declare Independence,” is written for children ages 7 to 12. This entry is about the American Revolution (1775-1783) and is illustrated by Bonner Abercrombie. The second book, “Celebrate America! The Revolutionary War Years,” picks up the story with the crossing of the Delaware River from late 1776 through 1779 and is set for release in October. The third book, “Celebrate America! A New Nation Is Born,” will conclude the series.

In the trilogy, Louie unexpectedly finds himself in the middle of the American colonies’ decision to fight for independence from British rule.

“My goal is to interest children in history, and if a dog helps them connect, it inspires them,” says Petit.

The Bichon Frise Blends In

Petit, who has written 10 children’s books featuring dogs and has a passion for history and genealogy, hadn’t written anything since the COVID-19 pandemic. When a friend suggested she write a children’s book for America’s 250th celebration, Petit wondered how a fancy, curly white dog could fit into the story of the American Revolution.

“But since Louie causes so much mayhem at home, I realized he would fit right into the chaos of the American Revolution,” Petit says.

Petit was right. Eight-year-old Louie turned out to be the perfect character to witness the struggle for independence in colonial America.

Throughout history, small white Bichon-type dogs have adapted to the ups and downs of the world around them. Originating in in Tenerife in the Canary Islands, the breed was traded to European nobles as early as the 13th century. In the royal courts of Spain, Italy, and France, these dogs became popular lapdogs.

When the French Revolution began in 1789, Bichons lost their place as pampered pets of the aristocracy and wound up living off the streets. Circus performers took them in and taught them tricks to entertain crowds and earn money. As cute crowd-pleasers, Bichons became skilled at adapting to new places and occupations.

A Tunnel Through Time

When writing the first book, Petit wanted to ensure it was historically accurate. But including Louie as its main character required some problem solving.

“I knew Bichons weren’t in the U.S. during the American Revolution,” she says.

Bichons didn’t arrive in America until 1956, and the breed wasn’t fully recognized by AKC and added to the Non-Sporting Group until 1973.

“As a writer, I tried to find a way to put Louie in Philadelphia in 1776,” Petit says. “The solution? Time travel.”

Petit got the idea when she and Louie joined children on a field trip to Star Fort in Ninety-Six, South Carolina. This National Historic Site has a tunnel dug by American soldiers during the 1781 Siege of Ninety-Six, where one of the first battles of the American Revolution took place. The tunnel is a 125-foot-long trench, 9 to 10 feet underground, and only 3 to 3.5 feet high. It is the only known military tunnel from that era that still exists.

Learning Some Manners

While visiting the park, Louie learned the pet rules and took an official pledge with Petit to help protect the environment. He even earned a B.A.R.K. Ranger Certificate from the National Park Service.

In the book, Louie visits Star Fort with his owner, Mrs. Griffin, and her son Buddy, who is Louie’s best friend. Going against warnings not to chase his ball, Louie sees it fall into the tunnel, goes after it, and ends up traveling back in time to Philadelphia. There, he sees horse-drawn carriages and a printing press and learns to follow rules.

Without giving away too much of the story, when Louie meets Phillip, a courier for Benjamin Franklin, he learns why it’s important to behave and not act on impulse. He and Phillip deliver papers about the Declaration of Independence at the Continental Congress, and Louie meets 56 men from the 13 colonies.

The Fluffy Face of a New Nation

To mark America’s 250th Anniversary, Petit and her white, curly-coated dog have visited schools and libraries.

They have also appeared on affiliate TV and radio stations across South Carolina for book readings and guest spots.

Louie, dressed in a bejeweled red, white, and blue collar with “1776” on it, has become a local celebrity. “Louie loves people and thinks everyone comes to see him,” Petit says. “One little girl took him for a walk.”

A member of the Daughters of the American Revolution, Petit did painstaking research to prove that she is a direct descendant of 41 Revolutionary War patriots, including one woman.

“My family goes back to 1600 in South Carolina, and the French Huguenots, and my mother has ancestors who lived in Jamestown,” Petit says. “I feel passionate about sharing history with people.”

She even named Louie, Prince Louie Edward Capet Petit, after her ancestors. “Capet is my father’s family name,” Petit says. “The first through 30th great-grandmother on his side is Lady Godiva, and several relatives were signers of the Magna Carta.”

It’s likely Petit’s ancestors never imagined she would ever write about the American Revolution and a Bichon Frise in the same book.

“My dog is my muse, and I can’t imagine writing a book without a dog,” Petit says. “He has tested my soul, but I love him with all my heart.”