In a new effort to settle nagging questions about his finances, Republican Presidential pick Mitt Romney today told reporters that his dog ate his tax returns and also served as C.E.O. of Bain Capital from 1999 to 2002. Mr. Romneys narrative about the Irish setter Seamus Romney, shared with reporters during a campaign stop in New Hampshire, was perhaps the most emotional invocation of a pet by a politician since Richard M. Nixons famed Checkers speech of 1952. Seamus was more than a dog, Mr. Romney said, his voice beginning to quaver. As C.E.O. of Bain, he was a job creator. But Mr. Romneys revelations about his dogs career in private equity may have raised more questions than it answered, as a spokesperson for People For the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) questioned the G.O.P. candidates latest version of events. If we are to believe Mitt Romney, in 2002 while Seamus was supposedly running Bain Capital he would have been at least 140 years old [in dog years], said PETAs Carol Foyler. This shaggy-dog story represents Mitt Romneys latest act of animal cruelty. Minutes after PETAs response, Mr. Romney released an amended statement, saying that Seamus Romney had served as C.E.O. of Bain posthumously. It was a quieter day for Mr. Romneys wife Ann, who, after her you people gaffe on ABCs Good Morning America yesterday, was seen riding home on the roof of Mr. Romneys car. 