Story Published:
Jun 26, 2006 at 9:31 AM PDT
Story Updated:
Aug 31, 2006 at 8:30 AM PDT
OLYMPIA - Gov. Chris Gregoire's family has a new
"fluffball" dog named Trooper to take over mansion guard duties
from Franz, the popular "first dog" who was killed by a car in
February.
The new dog, a honey-colored purebred Japanese Shiba, made his
debut at the governor's weekly news conference on Monday. Gregoire
and her husband, Mike, showed off the 4-pound, 8-week-old puppy,
who shivered in the glare of television lights.
The Gregoires said they hadn't planned to get a new dog so soon
after the death of their family pet, Franz, but that a friend
spotted a litter at the Tai Chung kennel in Oakville.
"I said `We're not really interested in a puppy,' but Mike said
`Let's go look,"' the governor said. "Well, have you ever seen an
ugly puppy? We fell in love with the little guy."
The Gregoires, who paid for the pet themselves despite numerous
offers of a new dog, took Trooper home Sunday night.
"He's got a voice - we discovered that last night" with
barking, the governor said.
House-broken? "Oh, yeah, right."
Gregoire said Trooper's breed is known as "independent, bold,
bright, very social, loves little kids - and is an escape artist."
The name, she said, was to honor the state patrol, which was the
first organization to volunteer to find a new "first dog."
"His job is to guard the mansion," she said with a laugh.
Gregoire called him "the newest member of our family" and said
their daughters have been e-mailed numerous pictures. Courtney is
practicing law in Washington, D.C., and Michelle returns from a
college semester abroad in New Zealand on July 4.
"We were afraid she'd stay in New Zealand, so we found a ticket
to bring her home," the governor said.
She said the pup is known to "find the weakest link at
mealtime" to get scraps from the table - and turned and pointed at
her husband. He pleaded guilty.
Mike Gregoire said the dog likely will have the same high
profile Franz had.
"He has big paws to fill," he said.
Franz, a Pomeranian who was a Valentine's Day gift 10 years ago
from the governor and her husband to their daughters, darted in
front of a car at a dog-sitter's house and was struck. The pet was
rushed to the vet, but could not be saved.
The Gregoires had been in Michigan to watch the Seattle Seahawks
plady in the Super Bowl.
The champagne-colored dog, often carted around the capitol
campus by the governor in the crook of her arm, was usually decked
out in a colorful bandanna for every season.
He "signed" legislation with his paw print last year for the
new "We Love Our Pets" specialty license plates. He was popular
with school children and often greeted mansion tours. He had his
own Web page and a specialty bottling of merlot called First Dog.
