By allowing ads to appear on this site, you support the local businesses who, in turn, support great journalism.
Vladimir Putin becomes a meme after hugging and kissing adorable new puppy
6df0479385c0ea74732b974d6e2ace16e28f824a175dd7e47b332fad83c13e0f
Russian President Vladimir Putin holds a puppy presented by Turkmenistan's President Gurbanguly Berdymukhamedov during their meeting in the Bocharov Ruchei residence in the Black Sea resort of Sochi, Russia, Wednesday, Oct. 11, 2017. The presidents met at the sidelines of a summit of leaders of ex-Soviet nations in Sochi. (Maxim Shemetov, Pool Photo via AP) - photo by Herb Scribner
Every now and again, Russian President Vladimir Putin makes headlines for a reason other than politics.

Thursday is one of those days.

The Russian president turned into this falls best meme this week after photographs leaked of him cuddling and kissing a cute new puppy, according to The Huffington Post.

As Reuters reported, Turkmenistans Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov offered Putin an adorable alabai dog named Faithful in honor of Putins 65th birthday.

Social media went ablaze when photos of Putin cuddling and kissing the young pup hit the internet.

Several photos poked fun at Putin and Trump, as well as Russias alleged interference in the U.S. election. Others expressed surprise at how "normal" and "human" the gift made Putin come across as.

The alabai breed is listed as part of Turkmenistans national heritage, the Associated Press reported.

Plush and cuddly when they are young, alabai dogs grow into fierce shepherd dogs, fearless in warding off wolves but also in dealing with human strangers, according to the Associated Press.

Putins previous pup, a black Labrador named Koni, used to strike fear in German Chancellor Angela Merkel.

It's not unheard of for international leaders to give animal gifts to each other, though not always with the best results, according to NBC News.

Putin previously became a meme in the United States after Russian news outlet TASS reported he had scored seven goals in a Russian hockey game.
Sign up for our E-Newsletters