Ted Cruz Leaving His Dog Snowflake Behind in Texas Prompts Anger and Jokes

Republican Texas Senator Ted Cruz left a freezing Texas to head to Cancun, Mexico, reportedly leaving behind his dog, Snowflake. Reporter Michael Hardy discovered the small white dog peering from behind the glass front door when he went to Cruz’s River Oaks home in Houston, Texas.

On Twitter, Hardy said: “Just drove by Ted Cruz’s house in Houston. His lights are off but a neighbor told me the block got its power back last night. Also, Ted appears to have left behind the family poodle.”

Hardy attached an image of what he says is Cruz’s home, with what appears to be a small white dog sitting behind a door.

Hardy later added: “Just to clarify, this was taken around 1 p.m. central on Thursday. It’s possible Ted brought the poodle back from Cancun with him, or that a family member was staying behind to take care of the dog.”

The reporter, who expanded on the incident in an article for New York Magzine, later added that a security guard who was parked outside of Cruz’s home said he was taking care of Snowflake.

Cruz was already facing a backlash for leaving Texas during an emergency and was met with protesters calling for his resignation upon his arrival in Texas.

But the allegation that he left his dog behind has angered people even further, like one Twitter user who said: ”Never thought I could dislike Ted Cruz more than I already did…until he left his dog #Snowflake home to freeze to death,” in a tweet that has been liked 1,600 times.

In response to the news story, someone created a Twitter account with the handle @TedCruzPoodle. Their bio reads: “Hi! I’m Ted Cruz’s poodle, Snowflake, living my best life while Texas freezes over and my a-hole dad is in Cancun. #Justice4Snowflake #TedFled”

Another account with the handle @TheCruzDog emerged and said: “Ted invited himself on the Cancun trip. Everyone was all, ‘Uh, sure Ted, whatevs.'” The bio of @TheCruzDog’s Twitter page reads: “My captor’s code name is: Rafael,” referring to Cruz’s first name.

Some people are surprised at the name of Cruz’s dog, Snowflake, and are commenting on the irony that when leaving Texas, Cruz left both the snow and Snowflake behind. Others are highlighting how the word “snowflake” is usually used by those on the political right to insult those on the political left by implying that they are delicate.

Journalist Medhi Hasan, who said: “Ted Cruz’s dog’s name is Snowflake? I’m dead,” while journalist Wajahat Ali said: “Ted Cruz trolled his own dog and named him Snowflake. What a pathetic excuse of a Senator. Poor dog. #SaveSnowflake.”

Other Twitter users wondered how Snowflake may get his or her own back on Cruz, like writer and actor Michael Tannenbaum who said: “John Wick style movie but it’s Snowflake getting revenge on Ted Cruz.”

While Cruz has apologized for heading to Mexico, he has not commented on Snowflake’s whereabouts or situation while his family was in Mexico. Newsweek has contacted Cruz’s office for comment.

Sen. Ted Cruz (R-TX) checks in for a flight at Cancun International Airport after a backlash over his Mexican family vacation as his home state of Texas endured a Winter storm on February 18, 2021. A reporter spotted Cruz’s dog Snowflake at Cruz’s home on Thursday. MEGA/GC/Getty