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Macron Adopts “First Dog” For France

By Chidirim Ndeche
29 August 2017   |   11:00 am
President... First Lady... First Dog... As French tradition would have it, their presidents (from those after the war) would have a dog. Since the early 1970s, all French presidents have had Labrador dogs. French President Emannuel Macron, adopted a two-year-old black labrador-griffon puppy between age one to two to hold the esteemed title of "First…

President… First Lady… First Dog…

As French tradition would have it, their presidents (from those after the war) would have a dog. Since the early 1970s, all French presidents have had Labrador dogs.

French President Emannuel Macron, adopted a two-year-old black labrador-griffon puppy between age one to two to hold the esteemed title of “First Dog”.

First dog Nemo

Macron and his wife, Brigitte, named the dog “Nemo” after the captain in Jules Verne’s science fiction classic, Twenty Thousand Leagues Under The Sea. This is said to be one book the President loves. The author, Verne, is from Amiens, Mr Macron’s native town.

Nemo was adopted from a shelter for abandoned dogs, the SPA animal refuge in Hermeray, and cost the president around $300 or €250 or £231. He was glimpsed on Monday running around the palace’s gardens, wearing a red collar, as footmen kept a watchful eye on him.

France’s President Emmanuel Macron walks down the steps of the Elysee Palace with his newly adopted dog, a labrador crossed griffon named Nemo, as he prepares to welcome the President of Niger Mahamadou Issoufou, in Paris, France, Monday, Aug. 28, 2017. The leaders of France, Germany, Italy and Spain are meeting with African counterparts to find ways to curb illegal migration across the Mediterranean to European shores. (AP Photo/Francois Mori)

Nemo stood by Macron’s side when he met with Niger President Mahamadou Issoufou. He trotted out of the palace at his master’s heel before coming to an obedient standstill at the top of the stairs, ignoring the whistle of photographers and appearing unfazed as a band struck up.

French President Emmanuel Macron shaking hands with

Nemo stayed back discreetly as Macron embraced Issoufou before a mini-summit with the other leaders from Europe and Africa. The dog then followed the French and African leaders into the palace.

First dog Nemo keeping a close eye on President Macron

Nemo was previously abandoned in Tulle, in the southern Corrèze region of France, the home base of Mr Macron’s predecessor, François Hollande.

But now he has a happy home with the president’s family. And it doesn’t look like he’s leaving Macron’s side anytime soon.

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