Clinton Names New Dog Seamus

W A S H I N G T O N, June 5 -- Former President Clinton's new dog is named "Seamus," ABCNEWS has learned.

Clinton told a crowd of well-wishers the dog's name as he petted a chocolate Labrador retriever puppy in Northern Ireland today. He is there to dedicate the William J. Clinton International Peace Center in Enniskillen.

Seamus is still at the Wild Goose Kennels in Federalsburg, Md.

Clinton plans to take him home to Chappaqua, N.Y., in a few weeks.

The puppy was born in early February, a month or so after his old dog, Buddy, was killed by a car. Seamus is Buddy's great nephew.

Clinton still tells people how much he loved Buddy and how much he misses him.

The last time Clinton got a new dog, the Washington press corps competed vigorously to be the first to report the puppy's name. White House aides successfully had some sport with a few prominent journalists, who were sure they had the name correct, but were, in fact, wrong. In this case, sources assure ABCNEWS that the new dog is indeed named "Seamus."

The Clinton Center will focus on peace-building and on religious reconciliation in Ireland and overseas.