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White House staffer who will help care for Obama dog tells all about Barney
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Dale Haney, the White House superintendent
who will help care for the Obamas' dog.
(White House photos.)
When the Obamas get their dog next year after moving into the White House, they will have Dale Haney to help them look after it.
Who is Dale Haney?
He is the White House Superintendent who has cared for every presidential pet since the Ford Administration. On a recent visit to the White House, the First Lady Laura Bush's chief of staff informed Michelle Obama that Mr. Haney will be a "terrific caretaker of the new puppy."
Mr. Haney has worked at the White House grounds since 1972, when he started with the National Park Service as a Gardener, then as Grounds Maintenance Supervisor, Supervisory Horticulturist, and now, as White House Superintendent. "I've been here for 36 years and am a career employee," Mr. Haney says.
It's not clear whether his official job description includes pet care, but he does have the inside scoop on Barney, the Bushes' dog who recently made headlines when he bit a Boston Celtics public relations director and a Reuters reporter.
During previous "Ask the White House" online chat sessions, Mr. Haney revealed the following:
Barney and Spot hang out with us as we are doing our everyday gardening and mowing. They hang out with us during the day while the President and First Lady are busy. Barney plays with the volleyball and Spot plays with a tennis ball. And Spot loves to swim this time of year in the pool. They are very helpful in the gardening.
Asked whether he favored Barney or Spot (the Bush's 11 year-old English Springer Spaniel who has since passed away), Mr. Haney stated:
I love them both, but I do have a soft spot for Spot. I was there when she was born and now she's back. Spotty was born to First Dog Millie during President George Bush's administration in 1989. Barney is a great little dog too -- he has his own mind and does his own thing. You gotta love him. [If you read between the lines here, Mr. Haney seems to be tactfully saying that Barney is a stubborn little billy goat!]
Mr. Haney stands at the door waiting for Barney.
Regarding bath time, Mr. Haney said:
Barney does not like to take baths, but he will tolerate it. Once he is placed in the sink, he knows a bath is coming and he won't move. He'll just stand there and put up with it.
Asked whether Barney is allowed to roam free, he revealed:
Barney does have free-run of the White House unless there is a special event going on. He is limited at that time and prohibited from that area. He does like to hang out in the West Wing during the day. Up in the living quarters, he seems to like napping under a table or a chair.
Other Barney trivia includes that, at bedtime, he sleeps on a dog pillow, and his favorite toy is the horseshoe, tennis ball or volleyball--depending on his mood.
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Mr. Haney reaches down to pet Barney as
First Lady Laura Bush and a White House
staffer look on.
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