Babydog is not West Virginia’s Li’l Sebastian. She’s ‘puppaganda.’ • West Virginia Watch

On West Virginia Day, Gov. Jim Justice held a dedication to the four new murals in the state Capitol rotunda. 

The next day, we heard rumors that Babydog, Justice’s prized English bulldog, was in the murals. Sure enough, when I looked through the state Legislature’s photo gallery, there she was … right between a painter and a musician, with Seneca Rocks in the background.

We immediately began contacting state officials and the artists, with not much luck. The renderings released in April did not include Babydog in “The Shivaree of Seneca Rock.” 

First, let me make it clear that I’m not blaming Babydog. Babydog is baby. She is innocent. She can’t help that she is chonky and people love her for it. 

And yes, it is kind of funny and silly that she is in what’s supposed to be a historically accurate mural. (Sorry, it’s not actually “our” Babydog in the mural. It’s Babydog’s “20th grandma,” according to Randall Reid-Smith, secretary for the West Virginia Department of Arts, Culture and History.) 

But the problem is that protocols were not followed with the mural, which was funded by taxpayer money. 

Reid-Smith, who would not return our calls for an interview, said on Metronews’ “Talkline” that he and other top members of the Justice administration, after reviewing the initial draft of the mural, felt it needed more content, and added a cardinal, elk and Babydog. 

However, any changes made to the Capitol must be approved by the Capitol Building Commission. He said the mural with Babydog’s likeness was approved by himself, state Museums Director Charles Morris, Deputy Chief of Staff Ann Urling, Administration Secretary Mark Scott and Director of Intergovernmental Affairs Rebecca Blaine. Reid-Smith is the only one on that list who is a member of the Capitol Building Commission. 

Like many things in Justice’s administration, there’s been a lack of transparency with the process. The Gazette-Mail’s Phil Kabler sent a Freedom of Information Act request related to the state’s decision to enter into a contract with John Canning & Co. for the mural work, since the current Capitol Building Commission never approved the work. Kabler said the response he received was the April 3 news release announcing the murals. 

Reid-Smith also tried to justify the decision by saying, “People will always remember Babydog, and so that is creating history.”

Yes. People will remember Babydog because Justice brings her everywhere — along with her own chair — and uses her to try to endear people to him.

People on social media have compared Babydog to Li’l Sebastian, a beloved 25-year-old mini horse from the sitcom, “Parks and Recreation.” The mini horse is the city of Pawnee’s mascot, and some describe Babydog as West Virginia’s mascot. 

Everyone loves Lil’ Sebastian, who somehow has an honorary degree from Notre Dame. Even curmudgeon Ron Swanson squeals in delight when the tiny horse visits city hall.

Both Li’l Sebastian and Babydog have songs about them. Both have merch. Both make special appearances at events. 

Except Li’l Sebastian’s owner isn’t a politician. 

Li’l Sebastian’s owner never ran for U.S. Senate. 

Li’l Sebastian never endorsed a political candidate. 

Li’l Sebastian never lobbied around the state against personal income taxes. 

Babydog is a distraction. Justice has had a lot of bad press, even going back to before he was elected governor. In February, when it was announced that Carter Bank & Trust listed several of Justice’s properties at the Greenbrier Sporting Club for auction, Justice announced soon after that Babydog would need surgeries for a torn ACL. A few days after Justice’s companies sued to block the auction, an official news release came out saying Babydog’s ACL surgery was successful.

On West Virginia Day, Justice was scheduled to unveil a statue of the state’s first governor, Arthur I. Boreman, in Wheeling. He showed up 40 minutes late and sat in his air conditioned car on the 92 degree day until it was his turn to speak.

Wheeling Mayor Glenn Elliott, Justice’s opponent in the U.S. Senate race, posted on X that Justice “spoke at length about his own dog and said nothing about Governor Boreman.”

Justice apologized to the crowd for not bringing Babydog to the event, “It’s unseasonably warm, and Babydog absolutely can’t stand it when it’s unseasonably warm.”

Same, girl.

Now that things have been heating up with Child Protective Services and the Department of Human Services as reporters and legislators try to find out how a Boone County teen fell through the cracks, Babydog has popped up in a mural.

It’s OK to love Babydog. But remember she’s there to distract you. Pay no attention to the man behind the English bulldog.