Q: Dani from Dallas, Texas writes:

Barney-
My scottie, Cooper has a question for you. How does sandpaper feel?

Q: Scott from Phoenix writes:

Hey barney,
Do you remember who sang the 1980s song, "I want candy."?

Q: Sam from Philadelphia writes:

Dear barney,
What do you call the top of a house?

Q: Diane from California writes:

Dear barney,
what do they call the outer layer of skin on a tree?

xdiane

Q: Mollie from Purdue writes:

My dog, Percy, and I are thrilled that you will be in the White House another four years! As First Dog, you are an exemplary role model for all American dogs. What are your plans for this next term?

Mollie

Q: Alex from Fargo, North Dakota:

Barney, do you like to eat raw pumpkins? my dog, Bushy, also a Scottie dog, does. He takes bites right out of our jack-o-lanterns if we leave them where he can reach them.

Q: Kathy from Shorewood, Illinois writes:

Hi, Barney : I would like to know who does your hair evey day? I hope its not "Willie The Cat" You look so cute in your daily photos.

keep up the great photos

Q: Jack from Loveland, CO writes:

Dear Barney, My name is Jack, I'm 4 years old and live in Loveland, CO. What are you going to be for Halloween? I am going to be a Union Calvary Officer. Are you going Trick-or-Treating? What do you do with your candy?

Love, Jack

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
Hi Jack

The President was in your area of the country today (he was in Greeley, Colorado). As for Barney, he visited the "world's largest pumpkin patch" in search of his perfect pumpkin. Make sure to check back later this week to see which pumpkin Barney and Willie the Cat select and to see what they do for Halloween. Happy Halloween Jack!!

Q: Thierry, from Dunwoody, GA writes:

Can Barney see in color? I'm convinced my little pooch can see and enjoy the fall colors.

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
Hi Thierry,

I'm not a veterinarian, but I'd have to examine the evidence. First of all, look at photo for October 5 , Barney clearly has a royal flush (hearts). Clearly he had to tell the difference between black and red to put together this winning hand. Next, let's look at the July 28 photo. How is Barney going to put together attractive floral arrangements for this important event without the ability to see color? Finally, the June 8th photo. The caption says Barney looks at a Blue Jay. How would Barney know its blue if he can't see color? The evidence speaks for itself.

Q: Emily from Nashville, TN writes:

Barney,
I look at your pictures everyday while I am at work, I think you are the cutest dog I have ever seen. I have a Lhaso Apso named Kobey and he thinks you are cute to! Did you have fun in space? How many snausages do you get a day? Or do you only get them when you are good? How does it feel to be out of the slammer?

Q: Bill from Fairbanks, Alaska writes:

But Laika was the first dog in space. The Soviets sent him up after Sputnik.
:-0

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
Hello Mr. No-Fun Bill from Fairbanks

You are correct that Laika was the first dog in space.

Q: Mrs. Shuster's class from Courtland, Ohio writes:

Dear Barney, When will you appear in your next video? We enjoyed your last 2 video's. We think you should stop getting into so much trouble. We know you are really a good dog when you want to be. Also, does the President have much time to play with you now during the election?

sincerly,
Caite, Josh, Jesse, John T., and Mrs. Shuster

A:Barney, First Dog:
1) Bark.
2) Arf.

Q: Andrea from California writes:

Let Barney out!! Let Barney out!!

A:Barney, First Dog:
Arrrooooooooooooooo!!

Q: Bailey writes:
What kind of dog are you? How old are you? Do you really know how to play cards? I wrote to you 1 time this is my 2 but i will write to you again the last time i wrote to you was when it had picture of your brithday cake.

I have 2 dogs I heared that one presindent had a pony and in this book it said they have most dogs but they have brids to and a allygator and a horse not a pony a hores but thet do have a pony they have cats and every animal I think but they dont have a deer or a tiger or a coyote or a fifh i know if you dont have a pangwen

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
Hi Bailey. Thanks for your great email. Barney is a Scottish Terrier and he just turned four years old. Does Barney know how to play cards? Well, it sure looks that way. If you look very closely at this photo, you can see that Barney has a Royal Flush. To watch the video where you can see Barney playing poker, click here.

Q: Keith from Homerville, Ohio writes:
I HOPE THERE IS NO CHOCOLATE IN BARNEY'S CAKE. As I have told you so many times before, that chocolate is P O I S O N to a dog!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Happy birthday Barney from my Scotty to you. And from me also.

Keith Williams
Homerville Ohio
Happy Belated Birthday !!!

A:Betsy Holahan:
Hi Keith,

As a fellow dog-lover and the baker of Barney's birthday cake, I can say with certainty that the cake contained absolutely no chocolate. I made it from scratch using a recipe in a dog cookbook. The cake recipe, which calls for wheat flour, baking soda, shredded carrots, chopped peanuts, honey, egg and vanilla extract, and the frosting, which is basically mushed bananas and cinnamon, are completely safe for dogs. And Barney really seemed to enjoy it!

Best,
Betsy Holahan

Q: Donna from Pinellas County, Florida writes:
Happy Belated Birthday !!!
Just got our power back, after the hurricane. You look wonderful !! My Scottish Pup, Angus, wishes you a GREAT BIRTHDAY TOO !!! AR-R00.

A:Barney, First Dog:
Arf. Bow. Wow.

Q: Michelle from Crestview, Florida writes:
Happy Birthday Barney!!!!!
We all hope your day is filled with pampering, play, and new toys!Hopefully, Snausages have been brought in by the caseload in order to celebrate this great day!! Demand as many as ya want!! Heck, you only turn 4 years old once!!!

Party on!!!
Emmitt, O'Reilly, and Maggie Three Scotties from Crestview Florida

A:Barney, First Dog:
Bark, Bark, Bark.

Q: Dawn Young from Portland, Oregon:
Hi Barney, I want to wish you a very happy birthday today! Mine was on the 23rd and I thought of you as I know yours is in September too! My dogs Cricket and Lacey send their happy b-day wishes as well and would like to have a poster of you to hang up in their newly re-furbished dog house OR the laundry room which is where they stay during the day while I am at work. Best wishes for a muttnificent day!!!

Dawn Young
Portland, OR
P.S. I enjoy seeing you pictures on the site each day along with a little bit about your activities. You are a very active and interesting dog. Please say hello to Willy for me.

A:Barney, First Dog:
Bow, Wow, Woof.

Q: Paula from Lincoln, NE writes:
My two scottie girls (Peggy and Rosie) want to wish Barney a very Happy Birthday today!!

Arf Arf....arrroooooo!

A:Barney, First Dog:
Bow, Wow, Woof.

Q: Betsy from Indianapolis, Indiana writes:
Happy Happy Birthday Barney!! I check your website everyday and really enjoy seeing what you're up to and have to tell us. I lost my beloved Scottie "Maggie" in July and it makes me feel better to see your picture each day. I'll get another Scottie one day, but in the meantime Barney keep those wonderful pictures and great thoughts coming. Enjoy your special day Barney!!

A:Barney, First Dog:
Rowf, Arf, Woof, Roof, Bow, Wow

Q: Miss Wilson's Class, Sea Gate Elementary:
Dear Barney,

Happy Birthday to you! How old are you? We enjoyed your movies and your biography. We hope you will make another movie soon! We are looking forward to seeing it!

"Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday to you!

Happy Birthday, dear Barney!

Happy Birthday to you!

We hope you get a new soccer ball for your birthday!

Write back to us if you can!

Lots of love,

Miss Wilson's Wonderfuls

A:Barney, First Dog:
Bark, Bark, Woof, Arf. : )

Editor's note: Barney turns four on September 30.

Q: Patrick Bodell, Lapeer, MI writes:
Just wanted to say Happy 4th Birthday to Barney from all of the 5th/6th graders at Chatfield School in Lapeer, MI.

Happy Birthday Barney!!!!

A:Barney, First Dog:
Arf, roof, woof.

Q: Louise, from Redwood Valley CA writes:
The Barney photo of September 24. Is that Barney reflected in the water?? Is that Willie? The photo did not show up clearly on my computer screen.

Thanks for all the Barney photos. Really enjoy seeing and hearing abut his life in the White House and beyond.

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
No reflection in the water. It is just Barney looking at a floating apple. (Of course, as the caption states, he is practicing "bobbing for apples" for his upcoming showdown with Willie the Cat.)

Q: Trish, from Portage, IN writes:
I have never seen the Cats Picture. I have no idea whats hes or she name is. Show more of the Cat. I am a Cat Lover.

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
Trish

We have featured Willie the Cat twice (when we ran out of Barney photos). Willie is elusive and far harder to capture on film (kind of like the Loch Ness monster). Click either thumbnail to see the Willie photos and check back for more Willie photos.

Q: John K., from Washington, D.C. writes:
Why is Willie always referred to as "Willie the Cat", but Barney is never referred to as "Barney the Dog"? Does the President favor his dog over his cat?

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
It all has to with name recognition, John. You notice that people never say "Elvis the Singer," for example. Barney is in that same league.

Q: Jamie, from Oregon writes:
Barney seems to be very standoffish for a dog. Do you share this impression?

A:Blake Gottesman, President's Personal Aide:
Barney's very friendly (especially with kids). As the President has said, he's just independent-minded.

Q: Katlin from Colorado Springs, Colorado:
Is Barney alowed to go where the visitors go?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Yes, usually once during the day he visits the White House tour line.

Q: Hanna from New York:
I once saw a film where a Presidents dog slept in a real bed. Does the Presidents dog do the same, or was that just made up?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Hi Hannah
Barney uses a dog pillow for his bed.

Q: Lisa from Florida:
Hey Barney , barkbark woof woof ruff ruff grooooooowwweeelllll raroooooooooooooo bark bark bark bark !! grrrrrrrrrr .... ? LOL :oP

A:Barney, First Dog:
Bark, bark, bark. Woof, woof. Rowf. Arf. : )

Q: Molly from Washington, DC:
My English Bulldog Sasha loves to go for rides in the car. Does Barney ever go for rides in the car with the President?

A:Blake Gottesman, Personal Aide to the President:
The President likes to go for rides around his ranch in his pickup truck (it's the only place he can really drive himself) and Barney often goes with him in the truck. This photo was recently taken of the President with Barney at the ranch.

Q: Jackie from Morgantown:
Does Barney ever eat dessert?

A:White House Pastry Chef Roland Mesnier:
No, I don't give Barney desserts because it is against the rules and regulations. The President and First Lady have requested that we do not feed Barney because we want to keep Barney slim and trim like everyone else in the residence.

Why should he get fat?

But Barney has a way of getting his own dessert. If he happens to see me in the elevator or anywhere in the White House, he runs to my shoes and starts licking them.

Guess why? There is sugar on my shoes, and buttercream and chocolate. Barney absolutely loves it. He would know my shoes among thousands of other shoes.

Q: Sren from Denmark:
Hey Barney. You should tell your humans that it is not a soccer ball you are playing with, but a volleyball!
Loved you in Barney Cam. Cheers

A:Jimmy Orr, White House Internet Director:
You are correct. I blame myself.

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Barney does have some lonely days without Spot, but he is spending more time with Willie the cat and that is helping him fill his loss.

Q: Mac from Ridgeland, MS:
Does Barney have a favorite toy?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Nowadays it is between the volleyball or the metal horseshoes. The tennis ball has definitely taken third place.

Q: Karen from Mays Landing, New Jersey:
Does Barney have free run of the White House or is he limited in where he is allowed to go?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Barney does have free-run of the White House unless there is a special event going on. He is limited at that time and prohibited from that area. He does like to hang out in the West Wing during the day. Up in the living quarters, he seems to like napping under a table or a chair.

Q: Janice from Chicago, Illinois:
Does Barney like to take baths?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
Barney does not like to take baths, but he will tolerate it. Once he is placed in the sink, he knows a bath is coming and he won't move. He'll just stand there and put up with it.

Q: Jay, Alpha, New Jersey:
When Barney is aboard Air Force One, does he get to wander around, or is there a specific place he stays?

A:Blake Gottesman, Personal Aide to the President:
Barney can roam anywhere on the plane, but he usually likes to stay right next to his dad. When the President is in his office (on the plane), Barney is usually curled up underneath the desk.

Q: Patti, Covington, IN:
Can Barney swim?

A:Dale Haney, White House Horticulturist:
No, Barney does not swim. He has three layers of hair, so to make sure he doesn't sink, he doesn't try swimming.