On Wednesday Prime Minister Vladimir Putin invited the comrades from United Russia to his Novo-Ogaryovo residence to discuss ways out of the crisis (read a more detailed account on our website kp.ru). The fellow party members, engaged in a lively discussion of the food market, did not suspect that a sudden surge of demand for food, or rather dessert, was being displayed in the adjoining room.
Tables for a tea party had been laid with cakes, cookies, marmalade and other yummy things. At a certain point Mr Putin's black Labrador, Connie, ran into the room, a Reuters correspondent reported. The dog's mouth watered. It put its front paws on the table and proceeded to devour the sweets. She was caught stealing by the waiters and security men.
That the incident had actually occurred was confirmed to KP at the Prime Minister's press service. Interestingly, it occurred on April 1, April Fools' Day. Connie is said to have been licking its mouth after the unscheduled meal, but was looking guilty: it avoided looking people in the eye and quickly retreated into the interior of the building. Apparently it knew the owner would punish such wilful behaviour.
Anyway when break was announced and the party members trooped into the adjoining room for a cup of tea there were no traces of the dog's raid.
By Boris Andreyev