President Joe Biden's 2-year-old German shepherd, Commander, is in a doghouse after biting a Secret Service agent. Credit : Saul Loeb/AFP via Getty Images
A dog has always been man's best friend. But it appears that a politician is not always a politician's best friend, as Joe Biden discovered to his horror.
The president's two-year-old German shepherd, Commander, is in a doghouse after biting a Secret Service agent Monday night. at the White House. The commander reportedly «violated protocol» (bureaucratic for bites) more than 10 times over a five-month period, including one incident in November when an officer was hospitalized after being bitten on the arm and thigh.
First Lady Jill Biden's office released a statement saying, «The White House can be a stressful environment for pets, and the First Family continues to work on ways to help the commander cope with the often unpredictable nature of the White House grounds.»< /p>
But he's not the only first dog to be caught misbehaving. Shortly after Biden took office, another of his German shepherds, Major, was sent to Delaware after a similar «biting incident» (and shortly after he allegedly defecated on the White House carpet).
Biden's decision to renominate DOTUS (Dog of the United States) after Donald Trump became president without pets was smart, even if it didn't quite go to plan.
Michelle Obama with Portuguese water dogs Sunny and Bo. Photo: Brooks Kraft LLC/Corbis via Getty Images
Every politician recognizes the power of some strategic «puppet propaganda» to boost popularity, if not how quickly it can backfire.< /p>
In Westminster, puppies have a long history as a political prop. Churchill had brown miniature poodles Rufus and Rufus II; Clement Attlee had an Airedale terrier, Ting.
Whatever your views on Boris Johnson, who could resist Carrie Johnson's pride and joy of rescuing a pair of Jack Russells, Dilyn? But mischievous Dilin got into a lot of trouble.
Jack Russell, who saved Boris Johnson, struggled to contain his “romantic urges” Photo: Dylan Martinez/Reuters
In February 2021, he handed the then Prime Minister a four-figure bill after staining carpets and chewing on priceless books and furniture at Checkers; reportedly put his foot over an assistant's purse; and struggled to contain his «romantic urges», which led to him running over Dominic Cummings' leg. While Biden defended Major to the last, Johnson asked someone: “Someone please shoot the damn dog!” after the damage done to Dilyn.
Perhaps a safer choice would be the trusty Labrador, beloved of the British upper classes. Although not necessary. Nemo, a Labrador-griffon cross rescued by French President Emmanuel Macron, made the gaffe when he was filmed urinating on the fireplace at the Elysee Palace during a meeting with junior ministers in 2017. “I was wondering what that noise was,” one of them said.
Nemo, Emmanuel Macron's rescued Labrador-griffon cross, made a gaffe when he was filmed urinating. on the fireplace in the Elysee Palace Photo: AFP/Getty Images
Dogs are often humanized; a reminder that no matter how superior they may seem, politicians are really just like us. But they can even be used as diplomatic weapons.
When Putin called his huge black Labrador Connie to a 2007 meeting with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel after learning she had a deep fear of dogs, it was widely interpreted as an attempt to intimidate her. Putin, for his part, defended Connie and said he was just being friendly.
Putin brought his black Labrador Connie to a meeting with former German Chancellor Angela Merkel in 2007 (after learning she was afraid of dogs). Photo: Sergey Chirikov/EPA/Shutterstock
In America, presidential pets wield incredible power. Research found that during the 2008 presidential campaign, dog-owning voters punished Obama for not having a dog—by 2012, the family's Portuguese water dog, Bo, was frequently photographed on the campaign trail.
In 1952, a dog even saved Richard Nixon's presidential bid. Nixon was accused of accepting financial gifts for personal use. In a vague address to the nation on September 23 that year, he said there had been no financial impropriety, although his family would keep one gift regardless: their beloved cocker spaniel, Checkers. He later won and September 23 is celebrated as National Dog in Politics Day.
In the latest reshuffle of pets in the British Parliament, Rishi Sunak has chosen a red Labrador named Nova. He, too, harnessed the political power of a puppy photo by featuring Nova on his Instagram page in 2021.
Nova made headlines in March this year after she was filmed flouting wildlife regulations and wandering around Serpentine in Hyde Park.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak's red Labrador Nova had «heated conversations» with Larry the cat, according to Sunak's wife Askshatha Murthy Photo : Simon Walker/No.10 Downing Street
But when it comes down to it. Nova is no match for Larry, Downing Street's famous tabby cat, who has his own Twitter account. Sunak's wife Akshata Murthy recently said: «Nova has mixed feelings about [living here] because sometimes she doesn't get on with Larry the cat… they've had some heated conversations.»
In the turf wars at Westminster, 16-year-old Larry, who has outlived five prime ministers — David Cameron, Theresa May, Boris Johnson, Liz Truss and Sunak — is clearly the leader.
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