1887 – June 11, 1897) was a terrier mix[1] adopted in the United States as a postal mascot by the Albany, New York, post office about 1888.

Mail trains from Albany rolled eastward to Boston, south to New York City, and westward to Buffalo, Cleveland, Toledo, Chicago, and points further west.

As a contemporary book recounted: "The terrier 'Owney' travels from one end of the country to the other in the postal cars, tagged through, petted, talked to, looked out for, as a brother, almost.

To ensure that he could be returned if he became lost, they bought him a dog collar with a metal tag that read: "Owney, Post Office, Albany, New York".

The collar and tags made the mixed-breed[1] terrier the unofficial mascot of the U.S. Railway Mail Service, and as shown by the 2011 postage stamp issued in his honor, his identifications became an essential element of his identity.

The city postmaster kept him in a kennel, incurring a total expense of $2.50 for his care and feeding, and sent a request to Albany for reimbursement.

[8] The Universal Postal Union was created by treaty in 1874 to standardize the shipping and handling of international mail; adherence to this pact by an increasing number of countries around what was then called the "civilized world" made it possible to extend Owney's horizons a bit.

Starting from Tacoma, Washington, on August 19, he traveled for four months throughout Asia and across Europe, before returning to New York City on December 23 and from thence to Albany.

[5][9] Upon his return during Christmas week, the Los Angeles Times reported that he visited Asia, North Africa, and the Middle East.

[10] Another report claimed the Emperor of Japan awarded the dog two passports and several medals bearing the Japanese coat of arms.

Clerks across the country asked that the dog receive the honor they considered he was due by being preserved and presented to the Post Office Department's headquarters.

A commemorative silver spoon was commissioned by Cleveland, Ohio postal workers and fashioned by "Webb C. Ball Co.

One was from a clerk in Detroit: Another was penned by a clerk in Minnesota: Owney has been the main character in five hardcover books,[clarification needed] and one e-book published by the National Postal Museum (of the Smithsonian Institution) in 2012 titled, Owney: Tales from the Rails, written by Jerry Rees with songs by Stephen Michael Schwartz and illustrations by Fred Cline.