BERLIN   Former German Chancellor Angela Merkel has revealed in her memoir how Russian President Vladimir Putin deliberately used his Labrador to intimidate her during a 2007 meeting in Sochi, despite knowing about her fear of dogs. In a striking account of diplomatic power play, Merkel described how Putin allowed his black Labrador, Konni, to approach her during a photo opportunity, even though her fear of dogs had been previously communicated to Russian officials. “I tried to ignore the dog,