Putin to Bush: My dog is bigger, faster and stronger than yours.

BushBush writes about Putin's boast in his memoir "Decision Points" just recently released. Bush had introduced then president Putin to hia Scotch Terrier Barney when Putin visited him at Camp David. Putin returned the favor when Bush visited Russia and toured the grounds of his dacha. Bush writes:"A big black Labrador came charging across the lawn. With a twinkle in his eye, Vladimir said, 'Bigger, stronger, faster than Barney,'"

A Canadian twist on the story came later when Bush told the story to the Canadian prime minister, Stephen HarperStephen Harper. Harper said: "You're lucky he only showed you his dog." This reply is not much in keeping with Harper's public speech. Harper usually speaks with the serious tones of someone training to be an undertaker.

Bush and Putin were both macho types and seemed to hit it off on many occasions. In fact Bush famously said he had looked into his eyes and saw his soul. As with Bush and his cowboy talk, Putin always projected a macho image even to the point recently of driving a race car!

Bush says the low point in his relationship with Putin came in August 2008 when Russia invaded Georgia. Bush complained to Putin directly at the Olympic opening ceremonies in Beijing but noted that Georgian President Mikheil Saakashvili is "hot-blooded." Putin replied that he was hot blooded too. Bush said: "No Vladimir, you are cold blooded". What can you expect of a former Russian secret police operative!