Baldacci family adds 2nd springer spaniel

AUGUSTA – Maine’s first family has added a second dog.

Sam, a 9-week-old springer spaniel, joined Gov. John Baldacci, his family and fellow springer Murphy Brown at the Blaine House last weekend.

The two dogs are unrelated, but they so closely resemble one another that Baldacci spokesman Lee Umphrey has dubbed Sam “Mini Murph.”

The governor’s son, Jack, came up with the idea of a second dog and will be in charge of caring for Sam, Umphrey said.

“Every time a substantial accomplishment is made in this administration, the governor will get a new dog,” Umphrey joked, referring to the Legislature’s passage of Baldacci’s health care reform plan. “By the end of this administration, the State House will look like ‘101 Dalmatians.'”