Oct. 7 marked Russian President Vladimir Putin‘s 65th birthday. But Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov, the president of Turkmenistan, gave Putin a late birthday gift on Wednesday during a meeting in Sochi: a puppy named Verny.
Putin seemed oddly happy about the gift.
Turkmenistan's President gave Putin a puppy for the Russian President's birthday during talks in Sochi. See more via @ReutersTV pic.twitter.com/Kr8Z8CGYGR
— Reuters (@Reuters) October 11, 2017
This isn’t the first puppy that Putin has received as a gift. In 2010 he was given a Karakachan puppy, which he named Buffy, from the Bulgarian prime minister. Putin also has an Akita dog named Yume. It seems that Putin has a soft spot for dogs.
But the handoff of the new puppy was super weird. Why is Berdymukhamedov holding the animal like it’s covered in dirt? Yes, it’s normal to pick up a small puppy by the scuff of its neck. But this was a photographed event. It was an awkward and weird way to present the puppy to Putin.
https://twitter.com/rynprry/status/918157162475610112
https://twitter.com/Peaoui_UK/status/918119749871132672
Putin handled the puppy with more care. He cradled it in his arms and kissed it before letting it walk around. Some people thought Putin’s reaction to the puppy made the Russian leader appear more tender.
https://twitter.com/Isaac061300/status/918181604064821248
https://twitter.com/ttdink50/status/918206743464828930
Other people were worried about the puppy’s safety.
Narrator: He ate the puppy https://t.co/2aDKpf7kZ0
— Comfortably Smug (@ComfortablySmug) October 11, 2017
The whole scene was an easy set-up for jokes about the relationship between Putin and President Donald Trump.
What a wasteful gift. Putin actually doesn't need another puppy. He already has a lap dog. It's called Donald Trump
— Brandon H (@brandon_r_horan) October 11, 2017
Wonder why Putin got another puppy, he already has a lapdog named Donald. https://t.co/hcfrrFyRmc
— 🌻 Emily Brandwin 🌻 (@CIAspygirl) October 11, 2017
Don't be jealous, @realDonaldTrump! You may not be as cute, but you'll always be Putin's #1 lapdog. https://t.co/8NqleOhJv5
— Misha Collins (@mishacollins) October 11, 2017
Verny is an albai pup by the way, a shepherd dog native to Turkmenistan.