President John F. Kennedy and his young family had a number of dogs while at the White House, but the only dog that Jacqueline Kennedy kept after the president died was a Cocker Spaniel named, “Shannon.” A gift to the First Family from Ireland’s President Éamon de Valera, Shannon, who wore a gold shamrock–decorated collar, was believed to have been Kennedy’s favorite.

According to an article written written in 1999 by the AKC’s A. Hamilton Rowan Jr., the former First Lady had been interested in getting Shannon’s official papers in 1970 because she wanted to use the 7-year-old at stud and wanted to ensure that subsequent puppies would be eligible for AKC registration. Rowan wrote, “One late afternoon in May 1970, the elevator door at the AKC’s 51 Madison Avenue office clanged open and out walked an impeccably attired lady, followed by an obviously subdued 10-year-old boy. It was Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis and her son, John F. Kennedy Jr.”

Rowan used his connections in Dublin to accommodate the President’s widow and arranged for her to arrive at the AKC offices after hours when only a few AKC night-shift people would be working, and she could avoid publicity.

“I alerted building security about our distinguished guests,” Rowan wrote, “and thus, it was by pre-arrangement that security met them at the Madison Avenue entrance and escorted them to an empty, waiting elevator. Virtually no one else was aware of our visitors. During a short meeting … I presented John with Shannon’s registration certificate, an AKC three-generation certified pedigree, and a copy of The Complete Dog Book.” Later, the pair was given a tour of the executive offices and signed the visitor’s log.

In the video video, “John John” runs with Shannon after a trip back home to the United States from Greece, 1969. It’s sure to inspire a bit of wistfulness to the people who remember where they were when Kennedy was assassinated: