Editor's note: An occasional look at the Obama effect in the capital and beyond

WASHINGTON — Dale Haney is the keeper of the White House grounds. In nearly 40 years of keeping the grass green and the flowers blooming, he's also managed to cultivate something just as important: relationships with the presidents' pooches.

Haney is often spotted walking Bo, the Obama family's Portuguese water dog. In fact, he's tended to every White House pup since King Timahoe, Richard Nixon's Irish setter.

Haney, 57, has been a White House fixture since 1972. After getting a degree in horticulture from Sandhills Community College in Pinehurst, N.C., he continued his training in Washington and basically was discovered for his green thumb, as he tells the story.

"They heard about me and they called me to come over here for an interview and I came and here I still am," he said during a tour of the gardens one recent rainy morning when first lady Michelle Obama — Bo's primary walker — was out of town.

That meant Haney would be Bo's handler until she returned from a day trip to Florida.

"I have him a little bit more" when she's traveling, said Haney, who said he's amazed by the public's fascination with White House pets.

"Sometimes I think they're more interested in the pets than the president," he said. "It's real amazing."

Take Bo.

Malia and Sasha Obama, now 11 and 8, long had wanted a dog, but were told they'd have to wait until after the presidential election last year. After Obama told the girls on election night that a puppy was coming with them to the White House, it seemed everyone, everywhere wanted details — and had an opinion — on what kind of dog the president-to-be should get and where he should get it from.

Before Bo came along to romp on the South Lawn and roam the White House hallways, Haney spent a lot of time walking and playing with President George W. Bush's Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley. Haney was most fond of Spot, an English springer spaniel whose mother, Millie, belonged to Bush's father, President George H.W. Bush.

Haney said several years ago during an online White House chat that Barney and Spot kept the groundskeepers company all the time.

"They hang out with us during the day while the president and first lady are busy," he said. "Barney plays with the volleyball and Spot plays with a tennis ball. ... They are very helpful in the gardening."

Haney also confessed to having, well, a soft spot for Spot.