Meet the new First DOG! Rishi Sunak’s fox red labrador retriever Nova was adopted by the new PM after his two daughters met Boris Johnson’s pooch Dilyn – and begged their father for a pet of their own
- Rishi Sunak and his wife were pictured alongside their labrador retriever Nova
- Dog had poppy attached to collar as Mr Sunak donated money to Poppy Appeal
- It was the fox red dog’s first public appearance outside No 10 Downing Street
- Nova joined family in June, 2021, after Mr Sunak’s daughters had pleaded for one
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak was pictured today with his wife Akshata Murty walking down the No 10 Downing Street hallway alongside their labrador retreiver Nova after buying poppies from representatives of the Royal British Legion.
The Sunaks, estimated to be worth £730million, stood either side of fox red Nova – who had a poppy attached to her collar – as Mr Sunak urged people to donate money to honour past and present veterans as Remembrance Day approaches.
Earlier this morning, after briefly struggling with putting a £20note into a Poppy Appeal tin, Mr Sunak then put a poppy on his wife’s jumper before she reciprocated.
The PM then put a purple collar with a poppy attached around Nova’s neck before giving him a treat.
Nova could reach new heights of fame as she begins life in the fast lane under the ownership of Britain’s first non-white Prime Minister.
But the fox red dog will be no stranger to living at high speed as labrador retreivers are known for their energetic and playful lifestyle.
Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty after they bought poppies, and a special ‘poppy’ dog collar for their pet Labrador Nova, from representatives of the Royal British Legion at 10 Downing Street
Then Chancellor Rishi Sunak welcomed Labrador Nova into his family last July, at eight weeks old
In preparation for the Budget last year, Mr Sunak posted a photo of him intently looking at a document while an exhausted Nova could be seen slumped on the sofa
Mr Sunak was not too eager on welcoming a dog into the family but after his two daughter’s Krisna and Anoushka met Boris Johnson’s pooch Dilyn (pictured together), they begged their father for a puppy of their own
It is also a return to the limelight for Nova who lived next door at No 11 Downing Street while its owner was Chancellor under Boris Johnson’s leadership.
The then-chancellor first announced that the family had received a new member with an adorable picture of the pair together in June last year with the caption: ‘Meet Nova’.
Mr Sunak could be seen looking down at Nova who was perfectly positioned on his lap, staring straight down the camera lens.
Nova could reach new heights of fame as she begins life in the fast lane under the ownership of Britain’s first non-white Prime Minister
Rishi Sunak tends to his dog Nova, putting a collar with a poppy attached to it around his labrador’s neck
British Prime Minister Rishi Sunak and his wife Akshata Murty pose with volunteers from the Royal British Legion outside Number 10 Downing Street
At the time, the dog was eight-weeks old, so Nova is now believed to be around 17-months old.
It’s reported that Mr Sunak was not too eager on welcoming a dog into the family but after his two daughter’s Krisna and Anoushka met Boris Johnson’s pooch Dilyn, they begged their father for a puppy of their own.
The PM eventually caved in and the labrador retriever arrived into the household.
A Downing Street source told The Sun at the time: ‘Rishi was fighting it but finally gave in, and the whole building is cooing over her.’
The No 10 pet is also believed to have a taste for roast chicken and even took naps in the former Chancellor’s famous red Budget box.
Nova, who featured on Mr Sunak’s Instagram today, has often been seen on the page, including when the now-PM was preparing for the 2021 Budget.
Mr Sunak’s two daughter’s Krisna and Anoushka (pictured at a campaigning event in Grantham in July) were desperate for a dog
Mr Sunak posted a photo of him intently looking at a document while an exhausted Nova could be seen slumped on the sofa.
‘Tomorrow’s Budget and Spending Review will deliver a stronger economy for the British people. I hope you find it more engaging than Nova did,’ the caption said.
Nova will have fierce competition to overtake Larry the Cat as Downing Street’s chief animal.
The cat which has become synonymous with No 10 even has its own parody Instagram account.
It’s been a rollercoaster ride for Larry whose fame skyrocketed during the last few months where he appeared under three Prime Minister’s and multiple Cabinet reshuffles.
The Chief Mouser, as he is known, has been a staple of Downing Street for around a decade now.
The parody Twitter account, known to post tongue-in-cheek Tweets, joked when Mr Sunak was made PM: ‘Rishi Sunak is becoming prime minister. His family is loaded so caviar and lobster on the menu for me from tomorrow.’
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