9-Week-Old Goldendoodle to Become the Trump Family’s First Dog

There is a long and storied history of presidential pets and the roles that they play in an administration. Checkers, a cocker spaniel, helped (briefly) save Richard Nixon’s career. The Clintons’ chocolate Lab, Buddy, and cat, Socks, provided ample, family-friendly distractions from less pleasant matters. Not content to live a life of leisure, President George H.W. Bush’s springer spaniel, Millie, “wrote” a best-seller called Millie’s Book that offered insights into the life of the first family. Martin Van Buren had tiger cubs. Thomas Jefferson and Theodore Roosevelt had bears, and Calvin Coolidge had a pygmy hippopotamus! Presidents have frequently cottoned on to the pleasure of pet ownership, not least for their warm and fuzzy public relations opportunities. (After listening to Nixon’s “Checkers” speech, a tearful Mamie Eisenhower reportedly told her husband that any man who loves dogs has to be honest.) And perhaps the Trumps will be no different.

A Palm Beach–based philanthropist named Lois Pope told the Washington Post that she has been training a 9-week-old Goldendoodle to become the Trump family’s First Dog. Pope, who has named the puppy Patton, after General George Patton, the World War II general whom Trump often publicly admires (most recently in the installment of his “victory tour” in Cincinnati), said that she has known the family for the past 20 years. She even showed the president-elect a picture of the dog at Mar-A-Lago, she said, in the hopes that the family will take him on as a companion for their 10-year-old son, Barron, who will likely face a tough adjustment ahead. “It’s going to be hard for me to let him go,” Pope told the Post of Patton, who is to receive what she calls “hero dog training,” and who, at the time of their interview, was gnawing on a basket. “But I will do it. Because [Barron] is more important than I am.”

Trump’s camp has not issued any public decisions about Patton, but it may be worth noting that his family has a history of preferring to hunt animals rather than care for them. And while a Goldendoodle (a historically clever, friendly breed favored by young families who abhor shedding) is certainly on brand for a president-elect with a predilection for that particular metal, one has to wonder: Would a Trump endorsed ’doodle help that breed or hurt it? Back in 2009, pet owners fretted that an Obama-provoked spike in Portuguese water dog popularity would incite “101 Dalmatians syndrome.” At a dog park in lower Manhattan, one Goldendoodle owner wrinkled her nose at the suggestion that Trump would soon be synonymous with her pet. “God,” she said, “I hope not.”

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Secret Service: Man Who Claimed He Was Jesus Arrested…Had Plans on Kidnapping the Obama’s Family Dog, Bo

A North Dakota man was arrested in D.C. this week after a report that he planned to kidnap one of the Obama family's pets, authorities said.

Scott Stockert was arrested Wednesday night at a Hampton Inn near the Washington Convention Center after Secret Service agents found unregistered firearms in his truck, as well as hundreds of rounds of ammunition, according to authorities.

He allegedly told agents, "You picked the wrong person to mess with. I will (expletive) your world up."

Agents went to the hotel after getting a "be on the lookout" alert from the Secret Service's Minnesota field office about the alleged kidnapping plan.

It's not clear from a court document why Stockert allegedly planned to take one of the dogs, or whether either of the family's dogs were specifically mentioned. The Obama family has two Portuguese water dogs, Bo and Sunny.

While being questioned by Secret Service agents, Stockert allegedly said he'd planned to go to the Capitol to advocate for $99-per-month healthcare and to announce he was running for president.

He also told the agents his parents were John F. Kennedy and Marilyn Monroe, the court document said.

Agents found an unloaded 12-gauge pump shotgun and a bolt-action rifle in Stockert's truck, which was parked in a lot around the corner at 5th and K streets NW, according to the document.

They also discovered 289 rounds of .22-caliber long-rifle bullets, 71 rounds of 12-gauge shotgun ammunition and two rounds of .223 rifle ammunition, plus a machete with a 12-inch blade and an 18-inch bully club, the court document said.

Stockert was then arrested.

As he was being transported, he told authorities that he was Jesus Christ, according to a court document. He claimed they could verify his identity on his driver's license, the document said. A North Dakota driver's license identified him as Scott Stockert.

Stockert was set to appear Friday morning in D.C. Superior Court to be formally charged.

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Sunny, The Youngest of the First Family’s Two Dogs, Sometimes Sneaks Out of the Kitchen and Poops at the Other End of the White House

Bo Obama is a perfectly well-behaved Portuguese Water Dog. He’s had top notch breeding and training. In fact, his professional trainer said that Bo was an attentive student who never had an accident. He’s certainly a presidential pup. Sunny Obama, Bo’s furry sister, is a bit of a punk.

First Lady Michelle Obama admitted that Sunny, the younger of the First Family’s two dogs, can be a little naughty. The pup will sometimes sneak out of the kitchen and go poop at the other end of the White House. Sunny didn’t get the expert training that Bo did, apparently, and she wasn’t potty trained when the Obama family got her in 2013.

Sunny has a history of rowdy behavior. She once knocked over a toddler at a White House holiday event, though she apologized by licking the little one’s face. It’s nice to know that her high status in society hasn’t affected Sunny’s ability to throw decorum to the wind. Even the President has to deal with dogs pooping in the house.

  

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Westminster Kennel Club Show: Top 5 Dogs to Look Out For

It's going to be dog-eat-dog at Madison Square Garden today, where more than 2,711 dogs representing 192 breeds and varieties will be competing for various awards at the Westminster Kennel Club Show. But only one pooch will win the top honor, Best in Show, Tuesday night.

To read more on this story, click here: Westminster Kennel Club Show: Top 5 Dogs to Look Out For FOLLOW US!

Obamas Honor Washington Humane Society - Sunny, Canine Companion for First Dog Bo, Joins the First Family - Obamas Make Gift to Washington Humane Society

Washington, DC – It was the bark heard around the world. Yesterday, the First Family welcomed a new member into their family, Sunny, as a canine companion for First Dog Bo.

In honor of Sunny, the Obamas made a donation to the Washington Humane Society (WHS). WHS President & CEO, Lisa LaFontaine issued the following response:

“We're honored that President Obama and his family have once again recognized the Washington Humane Society as the leading voice for animals and are grateful for their generous gift. We hope others are inspired to add to their family, and see the value in having multiple pets. The companionship of another dog for Bo will certainly benefit him in ways that people can’t emulate. In honor of Sunny being added to the Presidential family, WHS will be offering a 25% discount for anyone adopting an additional pet into their family for the rest of August.”

On the same day, the White House issued a groundbreaking response to a public petition asking for a ban on Breed Specific Legislation, simply and powerfully stating, “We don’t support breed-specific legislation – research shows that bans on certain types of dogs are largely ineffective and often a waste of public resources.” (petitions.whitehouse.gov)

LaFontaine added, “We are pleased that the White House agrees with our position on the issue of Breed Specific Legislation. Science and experience has proven these laws ineffective, and there is no place for discrimination of dogs based on their appearance in an enlightened and compassionate society. Because WHS celebrates all animals, the generous contribution of the First Family will be used to help find homes for dogs who might otherwise be affected by breed discrimination.”

More about Sunny!

Bo (L) and Sunny, the Obama family's new puppy, are pictured on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington in this photo released on August 19, 2013 by the White House. The White House announced a new resident on Monday. Sunny, a one-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, moved into the Washington residence of President Barack Obama and his family, joining Bo, a male dog of the same breed, the White House announced on its website.

President Obama and the first family welcomed a new puppy to the White House. "Sunny" is a Portuguese water dog, the same breed as the Obamas' other dog, Bo.

                             Sunny, the new Obama family dog, on the South Lawn of the White House on Monday.

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