She may be Australia's political top dog but Julia Gillard has a large case of puppy love and is all too happy to let the new man in her life run the show behind the stately walls of The Lodge.Cradled in the arms of the Prime Minister, cavoodle puppy Reuben turned hardened members of the media momentarily to mush today at a function held in honour of nominees for the Australian of the Year awards, held at Ms Gillard's official residence.The puppy was a 50th birthday present from Ms Gillard's partner, Tim Mathieson, and he arrived with little fanfare in November despite a rather disproportionate degree of interest from the fourth estate who were disappointed to learn Reuben would be a no show at Ms Gillard's official Christmas drinks.Ms Gillard has described her bundle of strawberry blonde fluff as the"the best, best present" and said Reuben was highly interested in chewing several pairs of Prime Ministerial shoes.Coincidentally, Ms Gillard's new dog - a cross between a cavalier King Charles spaniel and a poodle - is the second canine Reuben to live at the Lodge.Former prime minister Paul Keating's German short-haired pointer bore the same name.Reuben Mark I made headlines in the early 1990s when Mr Keating made the puppy purchase in Adelaide then wrapped the new family member in a tracksuit and nursed it home to Canberra aboard his VIP jet.Reuben has proven a big hit with members of Ms Gillard's close protection team while it is understood Mr Matheison has taken over training and dog minding duties.