SNIFFING OUT THE TRUTH

MY DAY IN THE WHITE HOUSE PRESS ROOM: By Bob the Dog, Chief Canine Correspondent

Look, I'm not saying I'm Woodward or Bernstein, but a dog's got a nose for news, and The Furrowed Brow deserves quality reporting. That's how I found myself padding through the hallowed halls of the White House yesterday, press credential application tucked into my collar.

Em (the human I graciously allow to live with me) had this brilliant idea that sneaking a dog into the press briefing room would go unnoticed. "They'll be charmed by you," he whispered as we ducked behind a tour group. Easy for him to say—he wasn't the one wearing the fake mustache and miniature trench coat.

We made it past two checkpoints because humans are predictably distracted by a dog who can sit without being told twice. The third security guard, however, was a cat person. I could smell the betrayal on him.

"Sir, is that a dog in a necktie?" he asked Em, who responded with the confidence of someone who hadn't thought this through: "This is... Bob Woofward, independent press."

Twenty minutes and several apologetic phone calls later, we were escorted to a small office where a woman with kind eyes, but a stern posture explained that while diversity in media was important, species diversity wasn't currently covered in their credentialing process.

Here's the serious bark beneath my playful growl: In an era where truth is constantly under attack, the gates of information remain tightly guarded. Who gets to ask the questions matters more than ever, but who gets to report the answers matters much more.

Would a dog ask different questions? You bet your tail we would. We don't care about political spin—we care about genuine integrity. We can smell fear, dishonesty, and last night's takeout on a press secretary's breath.

Em apologized profusely as we were escorted out, but I held my head high. The Furrowed Brow may not have White House credentials yet, but we have something better: unflinching dedication to the truth, even when it means getting kicked out of fancy buildings.

Besides, I left a small gift on the Rose Garden lawn. That's what I call making your mark on history.

-Bob