My EYES!

[Octafish]

50. George W. Bush's Story About Vladimir Putin's Dog Explains So Much

"I looked in his eyes and saw his soul." -- George W Bush, upon first meeting Vladimir Putin



George W. Bush's Story About Vladimir Putin's Dog Explains So Much

BRETT LOGIURATO
Business Insider, APR. 4, 2014, 10:48 AM

Former president turned painter George W. Bush's haunting portrait of Russian President Vladimir Putin came with an interesting story that Bush said served as the basis for the portrait.

As Bush told it, during one encounter between him and Putin, the Russian president "dissed" Bush's Scottish terrier, Barney.

"As you know, our dear dog, Barney, who had a special place in my heart — Putin dissed him and said, ‘You call it a dog?'" Bush told his daughter, Jenna Bush Hager, in an interview Friday on the "Today" show.

A year later, Bush said he and former First Lady Barbara Bush went on a trip to Russia.

"Vladimir says, 'Would you like to meet my dog?' Out bounds this huge hound, obviously much bigger than a Scottish terrier, and Putin looks at me and says, 'Bigger, stronger, and faster than Barney.'"

Bush thought that anecdote revealed a lot about Putin's character, and he said he tried to reflect it in the portrait — one of a hollow, stone-faced Putin.

CONTINUED...

http://www.businessinsider.com/george-bush-vladimir-putin-dog-2014-4