Presidential Pooch: Naughty Or Nice?
Dog Expert Reviews Barney's 'Ruff' Behavior
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Play CBS Video Video Barney's 'Ruff' Time With Fame Barney, the first family's Scottish terrier, has become a big star and reigns over the White House. But has fame made Barney lose sight of what's really important? Bill Plante reports.
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Video White House's 'BarneyCam' President Bush's dog, Barney, is back this year with a new "BarneyCam" video for the holidays. The president, Emmitt Smith, press secretary Tony Snow and others make special appearances.
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Video Barney's White House Christmas The White House has released its fourth holiday video featuring the first pet, Barney. However, Bill Plante reports that Barney's new sister, Miss Beazley, is the star this year.
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First Dog Barney Bush, shown here relaxing on the White House lawn in 2004. His entourage includes his sister Miss Beazley and a black cat named Willie. (AP Graphics Bank)
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Photo Essay Barney The Dog Nobody's making any bones about it: Humans are not the only stars in the White House.
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Interactive Animal Crackers Photos of some of our favorite critters
Barney, President Bush's first dog, has his own videos, his own Web site, even his own production company.
He made his first holiday video back in 2002. It was a simple affair with no story line, but back then Barney was a beginner, a young pup you might say.
Over the years, though, his much anticipated holiday productions have become more elaborate. It's not unusual to see a high-ranking government official or an A-list entertainer in one of the his videos.
"I'm intending to have a doggone good time with Barney," said Dolly Parton on a visit to the White House.
But with the paparazzi come the questions.
What is Barney really like? Is he naughty or nice?
Seeking insight into those questions, CBS News White House correspondent Bill Plante spoke to an expert, dog trainer Victoria Shea.
First, Shea viewed a video clip of Barney lolling about on various couches and chairs in the White House.
"It's probably not the best idea considering these are priceless antiques in the White House and you might have a VIP visit and sit down and get covered in Barney fur," observed Shea.
Life at the top can cause a lot of wear and tear, and photos of President Bush show he's aged as the years have gone by.
Barney, a black Scottish terrier, isn't showing a bit of grey, but he looks like he's getting a bit chubby.
Shea thinks the portly pup would benefit from a workout plan. "Barney can get a pretty good workout chasing balls," she said.
But even that can lead to problems.
Apparently, Barney was caught on camera chasing after a Christmas ornament rolling across the White House floor.
"That's a no-no," said Shea. "As adorable as this is, it's glass. Not something we want our dogs doing."
Even for a dog, fame can sometimes lead to temptation and dangerous habits.
Could Barney have a secret obsession of his own?
"I wonder," said Shea, observing a video clip of Barney playing cards. "This points to a serious disorder. Maybe he should go to dog gambler's anonymous."
©MMVI, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.
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Why because he is smarter than you?
Posted by SamTheTVCat at 02:54 AM : Dec 26, 2006
Yeah but Sam. I mean....you're a cat. So...you know....
;-)
As for Barney and Ms. Beasley I see them more qualifed to run the country than their owner who has spent billions on a war that should have never been. You see one of the Scottish characteristics is to be very frugal with money. Surely Barney and Ms. Beasley would have never spent all the taxpayers money on this war for oil as Dubya has done. And we wouldn't have lost close to 3,000 service men and women.
So lets not poke fun at these lovely intelligent Scottish Terriers as they can teach their owner a thing or two.
President and Mrs. Bush have two Scotties not one. Did your forget Miss Beezley? The White House dogs are very popular and children visit the website as well.
And that ornament, she criticises Barney chasing... it was made of bloody PLASTIC. Anyone who knows ornaments and espcially ornaments of THAST humongous size would have known that. Barney and Miz Beasley are just plain prescious Scotties and nothing but. The only other dog in government houses is Abby the West Highland White Terrier ... but she DOES work for her kibble and is a wonderful ambassadress of the state of Kentucky... bhut get a grip nasty mean people, it just a DOG... or are you just so miserable you can't say anything nice? If you can't say anythign nice then just SHUT UP!
And that ornament, she criticises Barney chasing... it was made of bloody PLASTIC. Anyone who knows ornaments and espcially ornaments of THAST humongous size would have known that. Barney and Miz Beasley are just plain prescious Scotties and nothing but. The only other dog in government houses is Abby the West Highland White Terrier ... but she DOES work for her kibble and is a wonderful ambassadress of the state of Kentucky... bhut get a grip nasty mean people, it just a DOG... or are you just so miserable you can't say anything nice? If you can't say anythign nice then just SHUT UP!
- by juliehg-2009 December 25, 2006 2:53 PM EST
- Definitely cute, but who is paying for his staff? Next we'll here he and Miss Beazley will have agents.
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See all 11 CommentsThe White House has finally gone to the dogs!