THE  NEWS that three government security guards were allegedly fired because they refused to take a dog belonging to a deputy minister for daily walks, has become a cause celebre on social networks, with  people representing all walks of life from a former  presidential candidate to an ex judge pitching in .

Politicians used  the shaggy dog story of Deputy  Minister of Social Development (Mides), Zulema Sucre to knock the government while others underlined  the fact that regardless of the merits of the story and her claim that the men were fired because of their aggressive attituess to here and others, she will always be remembered as the owner of a true shaggy dog, a Yorkshire terrier named Gucci .

The story also led  Panama America, owned by Ricardo Martinelli, to dig into her 11  trips abroad,  in 15 months, flying  first class and receiving  per diem allowances of up to $5000, and  often accompanied by  a pair of “legal advisors.” Her Social Development boss, Alcibiades Vasquez  has made only one trip. Her destinations included, New York, Rome, Spain, Cancun and Colombia. Presumably Gucci remained in Panama, while his high flying mistress was on her missions.

Sucre claims it is a smear campaign.  Maria Fabrega a former deputy minister,  said that  in addition to the shame, Gucci  had now become "Buchi"" ( a Panamanian derogatory expression meaning coming from the bushes)

Panameñista Deputy Jorge Alberto Rosas argued that the   walking a dog, was  minuscule compared to  the land grabs scandals of  Juan Juan Hombrón and Paitilla and other indiscretions of the  previous administration

Ex-Electoral Tribunal Judge  Guillermo Marquez Amado said::  "there will always be an excuse for being permissive with what is immoral."

Former  presidential candidate Juan Carlos Navarro said, quipped . “The truth is: #ElPerroPrimero  (the dog first) " a clear reference to the campaign slogan of Juan Carlos Varela “People First!”

For Anna Matilde Gómez, independent deputy and former Attorney General, the issue lies in those who should  or should not have security guards

"It depends on the risk level of the official. It is also true that many officials do not warrant such security, but it is part of a system that has no clear regulation,"she said.

Meanwhile, Panama’s anti-corruption czar, Angelica Maytin,  who recived the complaints of the fired guards said: "Given the gravity of the statements made,  I passed  the case to the public prosecutor because "there is a situation that it is no longer an administrative offense and could be considered a crime." The story still has wings.

Shaggy dog story: a long, rambling story or joke, typically one that is amusing only because it is absurdly inconsequential or pointless.