Bushy Barney: In the News, December 2003-March 2004

BUSHY BARNEY

In The News
(Dec. 2003-March 2004)

The Story Behind Barney Cam: "After [White House Web guru Jimmy] Orr procured a camera no larger than a lipstick to put on Barney's collar, there was a hitch: Barney doesn't wear a collar. When Orr put one on him, the dog lay down on the ground and started moaning, crying, and making all kinds of racket...

"The solution was to give Barney his own little camera crew, which proceeded to get down close to the floor and follow the first canine around the White House, his nails clip-clopping across the floor in the East Room, and the Red Room, and the State Dining Room. The public loved it."

Coming Next: Barney's "Easter Egg Roll Adventure" is currently in production. --The National Journal 3/8/04

Go Fetch: White House reporters will do just about anything to get the president's attention. According to Paul Bedard's Washington Whispers column in U.S. News & World Report, members of the press call Barney's name in hopes the dog will run over to them -- and that President Bush will follow.

"Luckily for Bush, the trick isn't fail-safe -- yet. 'Yes, we know the trick,' a Bush adviser told Bedard. 'We just hope they don't start using treats.'" The Washington Post reported.--BB, 3/6/04

Sad News: Spot, President Bush's loyal English springer spaniel and Barney's companion and playmate, died today. She would have turned 15 in March. The president and First Lady Laura Bush accepted a veterinarian's recommendation to put Spotty to sleep, the White House said.

"The president and Mrs. Bush and the entire Bush family are deeply saddened by the passing of Spot," White House press secretary Scott McClellan said Saturday in a statement. "A loyal and loving companion, Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years. She will be missed."

Spot, affectionately known known as Spotty Fetcher (named after Scott Fletcher, a former Texas Rangers baseball player), was born at the White House in 1989 to Millie, the famous dog of Bush's parents, former President George H.W. Bush and his wife, Barbara.

Spot will be buried at the Bush ranch in Crawford, Texas, The Washington Post reported.--BB, 2/21/04

Getting to His Head: "The first few sketches I made of the Scottie, I didn't have the head big enough. I went over (to the White House). They went and got the dog and said, 'This dog has a huge head.' The poor thing was sleeping, and they woke him up. And he has a humongous head. He's precious, but it looks like he'd fall over."--Mary Bunning, the artist picked by First Lady Laura Bush to design the official poster for this year's White House Easter Egg Roll, tells the Kentucky Post, 2/6/04

He's Got Jaws of Steel: "After a trip to the ranch, [Deputy Press Secretary Trent] Duffy reported that he had seen [President] Bush 'toss a few horseshoes to Barney,' the 3-year-old Scottish terrier that stars in 'Barney Cam II: Barney Reloaded,' the most popular video on the White House Web site. 'Barney is a pretty good horseshoe player,' Duffy averred. When a reporter later asked about the propriety of throwing horseshoes at a dog, Duffy hastened to stress: 'With Barney, not at Barney.'" --Washington Post, 1/2/04

He Smelled a Rat: President Bush spent much of his prime-time interview with ABC's Diane Sawyer discussing the capture of Saddam Hussein. The president did not reveal whether Barney was the secret weapon that helped nab the Iraqi dictator, but sources close to the first pooch suspect the four-legged one had something to do with it. After all, Scottish terriers are trained to "go to ground" after rodents in holes. The president did repeat that Barney is son he never had and that the First Scot is the only one who'll go fishing with him.--BB, 12/16/03

Barney Cam II: Barney Reloaded: If you liked Barney Cam, last year's video debut of the First Scot, you'll love Barney Cam II: Barney Reloaded.

The original Barney Cam, released in December 2002, featured a dog-eyed view of the White House decked out for the holidays.

"Realizing that sequels are often fraught with peril, the producers of Barney Cam secured starring roles from the President, the First Lady, many senior White House officials and a yet-to-be-named surprise cameo appearance," the White House says.

"Sources close to Barney say that Barney Cam II: Barney Reloaded has a 'more complicated plot' and is 'rich with drama and humor.'"

Viewers are asked to judge for themselves.--BB, 12/12/03

Barney plays poker with Ari Fleischer
and Andrew Card. Watch the video.

Barney Cam II Video

Original Barney Cam Video

Barney & Spot's Winter Wonderland Video

Barney Cam Photos

Earlier Barney news

Note: If you spot Barney in the media--or in person--please let BB know all about it!

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