Moscow, 15 December 2008 (Interfax):
The three dogs, an old red tomcat, canaries, peacocks, and swans that belonged to Patriarch Aleksei II of Moscow and all Russia are now left without their beloved owner. They may be handed over to a loving home or inherited by the next First Hierarch of the MP. “Until the Local Council convenes in late January, the pets will stay at Patriarch’s residence in Peredelkino near Moscow. So far, the nuns who have kept house for the patriarch are taking care of them. Maybe, the next patriarch will want to keep the pets, and, if not, there are several options where we can settle them”, Patriarch Aleksei’s spokesman told Interfax-Religion on Monday. He explained to us that the superiors of various convents and private individuals proposed to take the patriarch’s pets to their places, but, the new and still-unelected Patriarch will make a final decision about the pets.
Amongst Patriarch Aleksei’s favourites were the Pekinese dog Pusha, the pug-dog Kesha, and the white poodle Tusya. Tusya was presented to His Holiness by the children of Beslan. Pusha was the red cutie that TV viewers saw in the last interview of Patriarch Aleksei that was recently shown on television on the Pervy Kanal (First Channel) network. When the patriarch received guests, including journalists, Pusha was the first to greet them. He wagged his luxurious tail and “asked” those who he seemed to like most to take him in their arms. Now, the three dogs are going through the loss of their beloved master in their own doggy way. Patriarch Aleksei loved “our little brothers” and he appreciated their devotion and kindness. Nine years ago, at request of ecology activists, he appealed to the authorities, calling on them to stop the euthanasia of stray dogs and cats. In his interviews, His Holiness mentioned that his loving pets helped him to take his mind off his business. “I relax with them and escape from my daily routine”, he said.
Interfax-Religion
http://www.interfax-religion.ru/?act=news&div=27882 (in Russian)
