![U.S. President Barack Obama looks at dog sled puppies belonging to 2011 Iditarod Dog Sled Race champion John Baker in Kotzebue, Alaska U.S. President Barack Obama (R) looks at dog sled puppies belonging to 2011 Iditarod Dog Sled Race champion John Baker in Kotzebue, Alaska on Sept. 2, 2015.](https://api.time.com/wp-content/uploads/2015/09/barack-obama-alaska-husky-puppy.jpg?quality=85&w=2400)
President Obama is now a member of an elite dog sledding team – sort of.
On a last-minute stop in Kotzebue, Alaska, the president met Iditarod champion John Baker who presented him with a team jacket and hat.
Thrilled, Obama put on the cap and swapped his old jacket for the new one.
“Now I’m official,” he said, according to the president’s travel pool report.
Obama also got to meet two Husky puppies, both about three months old. He grabbed the smallest one, affectionately called Feather for his size, and reassured him: “Sweetie, you’re okay, sweetie,” before turning his attention to the other dog, known as Moose.
After posing for photos, the president peppered the group with questions about the long-distance sled dog race held each year in March, including: How many dogs are on a sled? 16. Dogs can start training once they’re 6-months old, in case you’re wondering.
This article originally appeared on People.com
More Must-Reads from TIME
- Breaking Down the 2024 Election Calendar
- How Nayib Bukele’s ‘Iron Fist’ Has Transformed El Salvador
- What if Ultra-Processed Foods Aren’t as Bad as You Think?
- How Ukraine Beat Russia in the Battle of the Black Sea
- Long COVID Looks Different in Kids
- How Project 2025 Would Jeopardize Americans’ Health
- What a $129 Frying Pan Says About America’s Eating Habits
- The 32 Most Anticipated Books of Fall 2024
Contact us at letters@time.com