Kiko's Korner

Miss Beazley's first Christmas

There’s a Queen ruling the roost at the White House. Her cape may not be genuine Russian sable, but her loving eyes are more steadfast and brighter than any crown jewel.

Born on January 6, 2005, this is Miss Beazley’s first Christmas.

Miss Bea arrived at the White House to keep the handsome and inky black Barney company. Both Scottish terriers have the run of the house and human hearts.

According to reports, The President and First Lady showed off the then 10-week-old First Pup at official press availability and "the little one quickly won over the gathered media throng."

Miss Bea, a presidential present to Laura Bush, also raised speculation about who would be boss among the Great Scots of the White House, who are related in more ways than one.

"Mrs. Bush introduced her as "our new little baby". Besides being siblings, Barney’s half-brother is Miss Beazley’s father.

The puppy who grew up to be queen watched, along with Barney as a horse-drawn wagon pulled up to the White House on Monday with an 18 _-foot Christmas tree that will adorn the Blue Room. The arrival of the tree marks the official start of the holiday decorating season at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.

And as Miss Bea would say, that’s a lot of strings of popcorn to tempt a quivering velvet nose.

"First Lady Laura Bush walked outside to receive the Fraser Fir that was pulled up the driveway to the North Portico by two horses, including one that didn’t seem happy in his work." (NewsMax.com, Nov. 28, 2005).

"Our horses aren’t working as a team this morning," Mrs. Bush said as she eyed the restless horse and scanned the tree, which was bound and protruding from the back of a green-and-red wagon.

"Well, he’s only a horse," thought Miss Bea to herself. And horses, as we all know, aren’t quite as smart as dogs.

Besides, Miss Bea always works as a team with the irrepressible Barney. And on those few occasions during the past year when she has not, she could always take out her Barney frustrations on one of Daddy W’s old cowboy boots.

Buddy and Betsy Deal of Smokey Holler Tree Farm in verdant Laurel Springs, N.C, donated the magnificent tree.

That’s a lot of tree for two energetic little Scottish terriers, but always on their best team behaviour, they never knock the ornaments off.

This year, the holiday decorating theme at the White House is "All things bright and beautiful", and the Blue Room is the centerpiece of the White House Decorations.

But a certain pup that grew up to be the queen knows down deep that there’s nothing more bright and beautiful than a tail-wagging, jewel-eyed Scottish terrier.