Call him National Public Roofdog.

Famous Seamus – Mitt Romney’s ill-treated Irish setter – is having himself quite a week.

From Wednesday’s New York Times:

‘Seamus on the Roof’ Prompts Howls of Protest

Mitt Romney may have a new constituency to worry about: dogs and dog lovers.

The group “Dogs Against Romney” held a protest outside the Westminster Kennel Club Dog Show in New York on Tuesday afternoon to bring attention to the story of how 25 years ago, Mr. Romney drove from Boston to Canada on vacation with his dog, Seamus, in a carrier strapped to the roof of the family station wagon — a tale that political commentators and opponents have seized on it as a window into Mr. Romney’s character. About a dozen people stood outside Madison Square Garden with signs reading “Mitt is Mean.”

Now comes NPR’s dogged reporting:

Why Romney’s Shaggy Dog Story Won’t Die

It’s the story that continues to, well, dog Republican presidential front-runner Mitt Romney. And, according to some experts, it could jeopardize his standing with voters who care about animals. And yes, it turns out, that is not an insignificant voting bloc.

The incident happened back in 1983, and it’s been public since 2007. But it seems that only now a critical mass of voters is hearing it for the first time.

The dog story was told by a Romney son and published by The Boston Globe as part of a multipart series on the former Massachusetts governor. The anecdote was intended to highlight his problem-solving skills.

It seems that during a 12-hour car ride from Massachusetts to Canada back in 1983, there wasn’t enough room in the family station wagon for the five Romney sons as well as Seamus, the Irish setter. So Romney put the dog in a crate on the roof instead.”

Bad choice.

As everyone from Dogs Against Romney to Pet Lovers for Obama will tell you.