They say power can distance a leader from the people… but this president breaks that rule with four paws and a heartbeat. The conventional wisdom about leadership is that elevation to high office creates separation—physical distance through security, social distance through protocol, emotional distance through the weight of responsibility. Leaders become remote figures seen on television, surrounded by handlers, isolated from the everyday experiences of ordinary citizens.
Meet Michael D. Higgins, the President of Ireland… and his constant companion, Bród—a gentle St. Bernard mix who never leaves his side. Two images show them together—in one, the President stands at a podium during what appears to be an official event, and Bród sits beside him, attentive and calm. In the other, they’re seated together, Bród looking up at the President with clear affection and trust. The dog isn’t an occasional prop for photo opportunities—he’s genuinely present, a constant companion who accompanies the President through official duties.
In a world where leaders often feel untouchable, moments of warmth and connection are rare, almost forgotten. We’re accustomed to politicians who appear only in carefully staged settings, who interact with citizens through security barriers, who seem to exist in a separate reality from the people they represent. Physical warmth, genuine connection, unguarded moments—these have become so unusual in political leadership that when they occur, they’re remarkable.
But Bród changes everything. A dog’s presence transforms formality into humanity, creates opportunities for connection that protocol normally prevents. You can’t maintain rigid distance when a large, gentle St. Bernard mix is beside you. People who might be intimidated approaching the President of Ireland find it easier when there’s a friendly dog involved. Children who’d never speak to such an important figure will approach to pet Bród. The dog becomes bridge between high office and ordinary people.
At every event, he wanders through crowds, offering calm, comfort, and more hugs than most world leaders will ever receive. This is what makes Bród remarkable—he doesn’t just accompany the President, he actively engages with people. Wanders through crowds at official events, approaches people, accepts pets and hugs, creates moments of connection and joy. And in doing so, he gives people something most world leaders can’t or won’t provide—genuine physical affection, uncomplicated comfort, simple presence that requires nothing except kindness toward a friendly dog.
Maybe this is the reminder we all need—that kindness can lead a nation, too. The symbolic importance of a leader whose constant companion is a gentle, friendly dog who wanders through crowds offering comfort. In a world where political leadership often emphasizes strength, power, decisiveness, competitiveness—here’s a President whose public image includes a St. Bernard mix who gives hugs to strangers. That choice says something about what leadership can be, what priorities matter, what kind of connection between leaders and citizens is possible.
If this moment warmed your heart… share it with someone who needs a smile. The invitation to spread this story speaks to its emotional resonance. In a time when political news is often divisive, cynical, depressing, here’s a story that’s simply warm and human and hopeful—a President who breaks protocol by bringing his dog to official events, creating moments of connection and comfort for ordinary citizens.
Michael D. Higgins is the President of Ireland, a largely ceremonial position that represents the nation rather than governing directly. He’s known for his eloquence, his commitment to human rights and social justice, his poetry and intellectual depth. But he’s also known for Bród and his previous Bernese Mountain Dogs, for being the President who brings his dogs to official events and lets them interact with crowds.
Bród is a St. Bernard mix, a large breed known for being gentle and calm despite their size. In the photographs, Bród demonstrates exactly that temperament—sitting calmly beside the President during an official speech, looking up at him with trust and affection, present but not disruptive. The kind of dog who can be in formal settings without causing chaos, who reads the environment and adjusts behavior accordingly.
At every event, he wanders through crowds. This isn’t controlled or limited—Bród apparently has genuine freedom to move through crowds at official events, approaching people, accepting attention, creating interactions that would never happen if the President were alone behind security barriers. People get to pet the President’s dog, receive enthusiastic affection from a large, gentle animal, experience moments of joy and warmth at events that might otherwise be formal and distant.
Offering calm, comfort, and more hugs than most world leaders will ever receive. The comparison is both humorous and pointed—Bród, through his presence at official events, physically embraces more citizens than most world leaders manage in their entire terms. Not because he’s trying to build political capital or carefully managing his image, but because he’s a friendly dog who likes people and people like him. The affection is genuine, uncomplicated, freely given and received.
Maybe this is the reminder we all need—that kindness can lead a nation, too. The broader message about what leadership could be. We often assume leaders must be tough, guarded, distant, that warmth and accessibility are weaknesses rather than strengths. But President Higgins demonstrates a different approach—bringing his beloved dog to official events, allowing genuine interaction between that dog and citizens, creating moments of warmth and connection that humanize his office.
This isn’t to say dogs can literally lead nations or that kindness alone is sufficient for governance. But the symbolism matters. A President who brings his gentle, friendly dog to official events, who allows that dog to wander through crowds offering comfort, who creates space for warmth and connection within the formality of his office—that sends a message about priorities, about what kind of leadership he values, about the relationship he wants with citizens.
In a world where leaders often feel untouchable, Bród makes his leader touchable by extension. People approach to pet the dog, end up near the President, have brief exchanges that wouldn’t happen otherwise. The dog creates opportunities for human connection that security and protocol normally prevent.
The photographs capture this beautifully—President Higgins at a podium with Bród beside him, both looking official but also warm and accessible. President Higgins seated with Bród looking up at him affectionately, the bond between them visible. These aren’t staged photo ops but genuine relationship, constant companionship that happens to occur in public settings.
They say power can distance a leader from the people. But Michael D. Higgins, President of Ireland, breaks that rule with Bród—a gentle St. Bernard mix who never leaves his side, who wanders through crowds at official events offering calm and comfort and more hugs than most world leaders will ever receive.
Maybe this is the reminder we all need—that kindness can lead a nation, too. That leadership doesn’t require distance and formality and guards between officials and citizens. That sometimes the best way to connect with people is to bring your beloved dog to work and let him do what dogs do best—offer uncomplicated affection to everyone he meets.