RABBIT HASH, Ky. – Former Rabbit Hash Mayor Lucy Lou has died.

The red and white border collie who served in office from 2008 to 2016 died Sept. 10. She was 12.

Lucy Lou lived her entire life in Rabbit Hash, an Ohio River community that is listed on the National Register of Historic Places. She dedicated her time in "the center of the universe" to help others.

Since her political career took off Lucy Lou attended many charity events and served as spokespet for a women’s crisis center.

Her term as mayor ended earlier than planned in 2016 when she voluntarily left office in order to help her hometown raise funds to rebuild the Rabbit Hash General Store. The 1831 historic building was destroyed by fire in February 2016. With the help of Lucy Lou and others, the Rabbit Hash Historical Society was able to rebuild and reopen the landmark within a year.

During her tenure, Lucy Lou also gave many radio and magazine interviews. She appeared on news segments to promote local events as well as a Japanese pet show and shared a “Talking Points” walk with Bill Geist of CBS Sunday Morning.

Celebrity aside, Lucy Lou's favorite thing was to greet visitors to Rabbit Hash, located in western Boone County in Northern Kentucky. She also enjoyed swimming in the Ohio River.

Lucy Lou's secretary and "momma" Bobbi Layne Kayser said that Lucy Lou "was an astounding canine who brought joy to many more people than just her immediate family."

"I'm so proud to have known her and shared these short years on earth with her," Kayser posted in a Facebook announcement yesterday. "Run free and easy, sweet girl. Momma loves you."

Lucy Lou was the first female mayor of Rabbit Hash. Lucy Lou ran on the popular campaign slogan: "The Bitch You Can Count On," raising $8,087 of the total $21,921 raised that election.

The question Mayor Lucy Lou was most asked during the campaign was: “How does a DOG become mayor”?

Her answer, according to Kayser was: “As with politics in every corner of the earth, the candidate with the most money wins. In Rabbit Hash, we’re just honest about it. Anyone of any age can vote, you can vote as many times as you like, and we encourage drinking at the polls.”

Lucy Lou’s executive staff have been heard to say on more than one occasion, “We bought that election fair and square!”

Hundreds of condolence messages are posted on Facebook including one from Cincinnati City Councilman Chris Seelbach.

“On behalf of the entire City of Cincinnati, thank Lucy Lou for her service,” Seelbach wrote.

Musician Ricky Nye, one of many who have performed at the Rabbit Hash General Store, posted a message, as did the director of the movie about Rabbit Hash, “Rabbit Hash: Center of the Universe”: “She was a star! Wouldn’t have been the same with her. So sorry for your loss,” posted director Jude Gerard Prest.

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