The softer side of Putin

It turns out that when he's not busy intimidating journalists and opposition politicians, Vladimir Putin is just a big ole softy:

Prime Minister Vladimir Putin has invited Russians to help him come up with a name for his new puppy, which he received as a gift from his Bulgarian counterpart over the weekend.

"Anyone who wishes to can send their suggestion of a male name for the prime minister's new dog to his site," a government statement said on its official website www.premier.gov.ru .

After Moscow and Sofia signed a series of accords to boost the South Stream gas pipeline, Putin was all smiles when Bulgarian Prime Minister Boiko Borisov presented the Karakachan dog to the 58-year-old leader.

Putin, who has a black belt in judo and has cultivated a macho image, snuggled the fluffy, floppy-eared puppy of three months before gently planting a kiss on his snout.

Awwwww...isn't that cute? It's almost enough to forgive him for invading a smaller neighboring country and swiping some of their territory.

Almost, but not quite. I'm sure all kinds of assholes throughout history have loved puppies.