Gregoire gets new ‘first dog’
OLYMPIA – Gov. Chris Gregoire’s family has a new “fluff ball” 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 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 a friend spotted a litter at the Tai Chung kennel in Oakville, Wash.
“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 the barking, the governor said.
Gregoire said the Japanese Shiba breed is known as “independent, bold, bright, very social, loves little kids – and is an escape artist.”
Trooper’s name, she said, is to honor the Washington State Patrol, the first organization to volunteer to find a new “first dog.”
“His job is to guard the (governor’s) mansion,” she said with a laugh.
Gregoire called Trooper “the newest member of our family” and said numerous pictures have been e-mailed to their daughters. Courtney is practicing law in Washington, D.C., and Michelle will return from a college semester in New Zealand next Tuesday. “We were afraid she’d stay in New Zealand, so we found a ticket to bring her home,” the governor said.
The pup is known to “find the weakest link at mealtime” to get scraps from the table, she said, turning and pointing 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 a veterinarian but could not be saved.
The champagne-colored dog, often carted around the capital campus by the governor in the crook of her arm, usually was 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 schoolchildren and often greeted people on mansion tours. He had his own Web page and a specialty bottling of merlot called First Dog.