The family of Gov. Paul LePage is mourning the loss of the family dog, Baxter, according to Brent Littlefield, LePage’s political consultant.

Baxter, a Jack Russell Terrier mix, has had health problems in recent years and died Tuesday night.

“The entire LePage circle of current and former co-workers, friends and supporters will miss Baxter,” said Littlefield.

Baxter, along with his owners, has been squarely in the public eye since LePage took office. Baxter is part of the LePage family’s official photo on the Blaine House website. There is a book — titled “Baxter in the Blaine House” — that is written from Baxter’s perspective. The proceeds from book sales benefit the Friends of the Blaine House. Baxter also has two Facebook pages and a blog.

Baxter, who was approximately 10 years old, was adopted by Lauren LePage, the governor’s daughter, from an animal shelter in Florida in 2008. He was originally named “Snickers” but the LePages changed his name to Baxter because they thought it suited him, according to a 2011 report by the Lewiston Sun Journal.

“Baxter’s an adorable little dog with a personality larger than life,” said first lady Ann LePage in 2011. “We love him so much and he really knows how to make us laugh.”