Republican presidential candidate Carly Fiorina plays with puppies in a new video, suggesting that they stand in for her GOP rivals as she prepares for Tuesday night's debate.

"Ya know, President Obama ate one of your cousins," Fiorina tells a dog in the Independent Journal video before turning to the camera and adding, "Vote Republican."

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The video shows the former Hewlett-Packard CEO feeding the canines treats and touting the benefits of having dogs instead of cats, saying dogs can be "your own security detail."

In a version of the video posted to Facebook, Fiorina plays with a puppy who is wearing a jacket that has a peace symbol, saying, "I like your little peace sign. It's very cool. Our Republican primary voters might not like them, but."

Fiorina is slated to appear with eight other candidates at the fifth Republican presidential debate Tuesday night in Las Vegas, airing in prime time.