Bo the Dog's Life with President Obama and Beyond

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Posted Oct 28, 2024

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Man in Black and White Suit Holding a Brown Wooden Stick
Credit: pexels.com, Man in Black and White Suit Holding a Brown Wooden Stick

Bo was a Portuguese Water Dog who lived with President Barack Obama and his family in the White House from 2009 to 2017. He was a beloved companion.

Bo was a gift to the Obama family from Senator Ted Kennedy in 2009. He was chosen for his low-shedding coat, which made him a great fit for the family.

Bo was a popular dog in the White House, often seen accompanying the Obama family on walks and playing fetch in the Rose Garden. He was a favorite among the staff and visitors alike.

Bo's time in the White House was marked by many happy memories, including the Obama family's annual Easter Egg Roll and the Fourth of July celebration on the South Lawn.

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Heritage

Bo's heritage is quite interesting. He was a gift through a breeder, but dog expert César Millán considered him to be part of a larger group known as "rescue dogs".

Bo's first home didn't work out, and he was unsuccessful in providing companionship to an older female dog. His attempts to suckle irritated her.

The Obamas took Bo in, and they pledged a donation to the DC Humane Society in support of shelter dogs.

Bo's Life with Obama

Credit: youtube.com, Bo's guide to being a good first dog

Bo's Life with Obama was a special one. He was a constant, gentle presence in the Obama family's lives for more than a decade.

Bo was a Portuguese water dog and a gift to the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, from Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife Victoria in 2009. He was named after the former first lady's father.

The Obama family introduced Bo to the White House press corps in April 2009 when he was just 6 months old. At the time, Malia was 10 and Sasha 7. The Kennedy family said in a statement, "We couldn’t be happier to see the joy that Bo is bringing to Malia and Sasha. We love our Portuguese water dogs and know that the girls, and their parents, will love theirs, too.”

Bo's life with the Obama family was filled with love, snuggles, and games of fetch. He was there for the good days and the bad, and he loved being around his family.

President Obama (2009)

Credit: youtube.com, Obama On White House Life

In 2009, President Obama welcomed a new furry friend into the White House - Bo, the Portuguese water dog. Bo was a gift to the Obama girls, Sasha and Malia, from then-Sen. Ted Kennedy and his wife Victoria.

Just a month after being welcomed into the family, Bo was pictured enjoying a game of football with President Barack Obama on the White House's South Lawn. This photo showcases Bo's playful personality and his ability to bring joy to the Obama family.

Bo was named after rocker Bo Diddley and former First Lady Michelle Obama's late-father, who was nicknamed "Diddley." This unique name suits Bo's energetic and lively spirit.

In April 2009, the Obama family introduced Bo to the White House press corps when he was just 6 months old. At the time, Malia was 10 and Sasha 7. This introduction marked the beginning of Bo's life as the First Dog.

Credit: youtube.com, Bo Obama Makes His Debut

Here's a brief timeline of Bo's early days with the Obama family:

  • April 2009: Bo is introduced to the White House press corps at 6 months old.
  • May 2009: Bo poses for his official portrait on the front lawn of the White House.
  • June 2009: Bo plays football with President Obama on the White House's South Lawn.

These early days set the stage for Bo's life as a beloved member of the Obama family.

Sunny Says 'Heyyy' to the Press (2015)

In 2015, Sunny and Bo got to spend quality time with the press. They even said "Heyyy" to the media and White House visitors.

Sunny and Bo had one-on-one time with the press that summer. This was a rare opportunity for everyone involved.

During this time, Sunny and Bo likely got lots of attention and affection. They were probably very happy to have such a big audience.

Bo and Sunny also had a special encounter with Pope Francis in 2015. They got to be petted by the Pope during his visit to America.

Bo's Death and Tributes

The Obamas announced the passing of their beloved dog Bo, a Portuguese water dog, in a series of heartfelt tweets.

Credit: youtube.com, Former 1st Dog Bo Obama Dies at Age 12 of Cancer

Bo was a constant presence in the Obama family's lives for over a decade, always happy to see them on their good days, bad days, and every day in between.

The family said goodbye to Bo after a battle with cancer, and thousands responded with condolences and pictures of their own dogs.

Michele Obama described Bo as a comforting presence, always there to greet the girls when they came home from school or saunter into the office with a ball in his teeth.

Bo lived a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch.

The Presidential Pet Museum notes that Bo came to the Obamas in 2009 as a gift to their daughters from then-Sen. Ted Kennedy and his wife Victoria.

Bo was named after the former first lady's father, and the family will miss him dearly.

Here are some key facts about Bo's passing:

  • Bo was a Portuguese water dog.
  • He lived with the Obama family for over a decade.
  • Bo passed away after a battle with cancer.
  • He was a gift to the Obama daughters from then-Sen. Ted Kennedy and his wife Victoria.
  • Bo was named after the former first lady's father.

Frequently Asked Questions

What breed is Bo dog?

Bo was a Portuguese Water Dog, a breed known for its intelligence and active nature.

What does a Portuguese Water Dog look like?

A Portuguese Water Dog is a medium-sized dog with a muscular build and a distinctive head shape, featuring a broad and domed skull with a well-defined stop. They have a straight and level topline, with a slightly longer head than muzzle.

Sources

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  2. "Michelle and Barack Obama Mourn the Death of Beloved Dog Bo" (people.com)
  3. "Man Arrested for Plot to Kidnap the Obamas' Dog" (time.com)
  4. "The First Hundred (Dog) Days" (nytimes.com)
  5. "PETA Encourages Obamas to Neuter Neutered Dog" (nbcwashington.com)
  6. "Obama puppy: Portuguese water dog Bo is Obama puppy" (baltimoresun.com)
  7. the original (telegraph.co.uk)
  8. "The White House—Blog Post—Bo: The Portrait, the Baseball Card" (archives.gov)
  9. "First Dog Bo's Portrait Out as Baseball Card" (archive.today)
  10. "The Obamas' Dog Has Arrived—at Last!" (people.com)
  11. "First photos of First Dog: Obamas meet Bo, their new Portuguese Water Dog" (nydailynews.com)
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  13. "Obama: Finding Puppy "Tougher Than Finding A Commerce Secretary" (VIDEO)" (huffingtonpost.com)
  14. "New first dog: The Obamas choose a Portuguese water dog" (latimes.com)
  15. "Dawn Sylvia-Stasiewicz, trainer of Bo, the Obamas' White House dog, dies at 52" (washingtonpost.com)
  16. "World | Obama family 'picks first puppy'" (bbc.co.uk)
  17. "One Obama Search Ends With a Puppy Named Bo" (nytimes.com)
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  19. "Vigilant press spots Bo, the first dog, out for a walk" (csmonitor.com)
  20. "first dog" (archives.gov)
  21. Presidential Pet Museum (presidentialpetmuseum.com)
  22. "Michelle and Barack Obama Mourn the Death of Beloved Dog Bo" (people.com)
  23. the original (telegraph.co.uk)
  24. "PETA Encourages Obamas to Neuter Neutered Dog" (nbcwashington.com)
  25. "Bo Obama gets a playmate! Obamas adopt another dog" (nydailynews.com)
  26. "First dog's father from Ambridge" (post-gazette.com)
  27. "One Obama Search Ends With a Puppy Named Bo" (nytimes.com)
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  30. "Vigilant press spots Bo, the first dog, out for a walk | csmonitor.com" (csmonitor.com)
  31. Bo The First Dog Website (Fan Club) (bothefirstdog.com)
  32. the Presidential Pet Museum (presidentialpetmuseum.com)
  33. The Obamas' dog Bo dies at 12: 'He was exactly what we ... (today.com)

Jenny Koss

Writer

Jenny Koss is a seasoned writer with a passion for storytelling and a knack for uncovering unique tales. Her writing career has taken her from the rolling hills of the countryside to the bustling streets of the city, where she's covered a wide range of topics with curiosity and enthusiasm. With a keen eye for detail and a love of adventure, Jenny has tackled subjects as varied as truffle hunting, where she immersed herself in the ancient art of foraging for the world's most prized fungi.