Vladimir Putin is such an iconic leader that everyone respects. He has risen through the ranks from being a spy for the KGB, the elite police force that served the Soviet Union, to being the president of Russia. He’s got that blank stare that reminds you that you shouldn’t mess around with him.
Putin holds a lot of power, and he is not afraid to use it to protect his nation’s interests. Some might say that he is a scary man. But what some people don’t know is that Putin is a dog lover. Yes, he looks fierce and everything, but behind that powerful gaze he projects is a man who’s got a soft spot for cute little furballs.
Turkmenistan’s president, Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedow, knows that Putin loves doggos. So three years ago, for Putin’s birthday, President Berdimuhamedow decided to give the Russian president a purebred Alabai, Turkmenistan’s prized dog breed.
They are so proud of the Alabai, the country recently unveiled a 19-foot gold-coated statue of this breed. But despite the honor he gave the Alabai, it seemed that President Berdimuhamedow was not much of a dog person. When the puppy was presented to President Putin, the Turkmen president grabbed it awkwardly.
He held the poor pupper by the scruff of the neck and considering that this pooch was a bit hefty for a puppy, it was probably hurting from how it was being held. President Putin was bothered by this, but he didn’t do anything at first. Perhaps he thought the Turkmen president would soon realize his mistake.
But it seemed that the Turkmen leader had no clue. So, in an awkward manner, Putin had to come and rescue the pooch from its ordeal. It was fairly evident by the Russian president’s reactions that he was worried about the Alabai pup. This is a true mark of a dog lover, and we’re pretty sure that the pooch would find a loving home with the Russian president.
Credits: TIME
