Marc Elias Loses Bode

by Marc Elias, Founder of Democracy Docket

Marc Elias, tireless defender of voting rights, lost his best friend Bode, on May 20. I am republishing his tribute.

May 25, 2025

I’ve written about many difficult topics over the years, but none compare to this.

My loyal companion Bode passed away on Tuesday, May 20, 2025, from canine lymphoma — just one month shy of his ninth birthday. I know everyone thinks their dog is the best but Bode truly was the best dog ever.

Bode bounded into my life in July 2016 and never left my side. During the final months of the 2016 campaign, he was my regular companion — from my office in Washington, D.C., to the Clinton headquarters in Brooklyn, where I would sneak him in by putting him in a bag, he was eager to go everywhere with me. I took him to meet Senators and presidential candidates.

Bode in 2016.

He was with me through the heartbreak of 2016 election loss and celebrated with me the victories in 2018 and 2020. The morning after the 2024 election, he was ready to face the world as if nothing had gone wrong. He helped me do the same.

When my children left for college, Bode stayed. When I prepared to argue before the Supreme Court, Bode was at my feet. When I founded Democracy Docket, Bode was more than present — he was part of its DNA, making regular appearances in our newsletters.

He was everywhere in my life: the first to greet me each morning and the last to say goodnight. He was happy when I came home and was stoic when I left. For my birthday one year, my wife gave me the perfect gift — a life-size sculpture of Bode.

As my public profile grew, so did his. He became my social media avatar and the wallpaper on my phone and computer. His photos filled the background when I appeared on cable news. Once, a producer asked me to remove them — I refused and never returned to that show. By the time the 2024 election came around, he was a democracy icon in his own right.

Bode on Election Night 2020.

Bode even had his own fans.They wanted to know how to say his name (BOH-dee), what breed he was (Portuguese Water Dog). But mostly, they just wanted to tell me how lucky I was that he was in my life. They were right.

I was hesitant to write this obituary. Struggle as I might, I don’t have a grand life lesson of his life; nor I any clear meaning to make of his death. I’m just heartbroken that he’s gone.

The one thing I’m grateful for is that his death wasn’t sudden. Bode was diagnosed with canine leukemia last November. He began chemotherapy right away. Thanks to the extraordinary care of his veterinarians, we had six high quality months together.

We took advantage of every moment of that time to spoil him shamelessly. Every small act earned a treat: waking up, going out, coming back in, bedtime — treat, treat, treat. Whatever Bode wanted to do, is what I wanted as well. If he wanted a walk, so did I. If he wanted to rest, that was fine too.

Bode meeting Senator Cory Booker in 2019.

As the months passed, it was clear that the cancer was taking a toll. He lost hair, weight, and eventually, energy. Then, in April, the cancer returned with force. We tried a new chemo protocol, but within weeks, it was obvious the end was near.

We continued to focus on making every moment count. Soon, however, those moments dwindled. He stopped eating. He was tired. It became clear: Bode had given us everything he could.

Last week, he let us know he was ready. On Wednesday night, he was back at the emergency vet. His body had given out. There were few options left and none that were good. After hearing from the vet, my wife and I made the hardest decision.

Bode died peacefully on May 20, 2025.

He was, quite simply, the best dog ever.

Bode in my office.