Obama girls name their dog Bo
Finally the long national wait is over: We know the identity of the Obama family pet. The first dog is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog named Bo.
The dog was given by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass), who has three Porties and who lobbied for the breed. The Obamas decided to name the dog Bo for two reasons: 1. The girls, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10, have cousins with a cat named Bo and 2. First Lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, after the singer Bo Diddley, according to the Washington Post.
"He's got tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee," the Post says.
Friday TMZ.com was reporting details about the first dog, including that he's from a Texas breeder who sold the Kennedy family their dogs. The dog was named Charlie but returned to the breeder. The site also was reporting that the Kennedy dogs and Charlie-now-Bo are from the same lineage. (This morning the site is saying that reports that Kennedy gave the puppy to the First Family as a gift are untrue. It is sticking to what it reported Friday: The dog was re-homed by the kennel and the Kennedy family only helped with the transfer.)
Yesterday a Web site called firstdogcharlie.com went up containing a picture of what it said was the first dog. The White House has called the picture "bogus," but the site's image certainly looks like the Obama pet.
The White House had offered The Washington Post a puppy exclusive, according to the paper. But as more information leaked out yesterday, the time of releasing information changed. The original plan at the White House was to share the news at Bo's debut on Tuesday.
The family had a get-to-know-you session with the dog at the White House a few weeks ago. "The Meeting," as it was called, was a surprise for the girls. Bo dressed up for the occasion: wearing a lei, according to the Post.
The dog was an instant hit. "He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toileting errors and did not gnaw on the furniture. Bo has, after all, been receiving lessons in good behavior from the Kennedys' dog trainers. These lessons have been taking place at a secret, undisclosed location outside Washington," the Post says.
The family is said to still be working out sleeping arrangements and feeding/walking plans for Bo.
The decision will make Labrodoodle fans unhappy. That was the other breed in the running. The family focused on Labradoodles and Portuguese water dogs because they are good pets for allergy sufferers, as Malia is.
Animal groups strongly encouraged the Obamas to adopt a rescue dog and are already expressing disappointment over the family's choice. To show their support for shelters, the Obamas are making a donation to the D.C. Humane Society.
Comments
Congrats and good luck with your addition.
Posted by: Denise Allen | April 12, 2009 12:29 PM
He thinks a donation to the Humane Society helps! This is extremely disappointing to the thousands of us that try to find homes for shelter dogs. The republicans were right. He us ellitist after all.
Posted by: Lisa | April 12, 2009 12:52 PM
Just goes to show...he can't please everyone.
Posted by: jameswhe | April 12, 2009 1:37 PM
This is VERY DISAPPOINTING! What happened to the promise of rescuing a pooch from a shelter?
A donation does not make this okay. Obama has let so many good people down who work tirelessly to find homes for shelter animals - not to mention all the homeless animals who could have benefitted if he had done the right thing!
Actions speak louder than words, and Obama has just proved he cannot be trusted after all -
VERY DISAPPOINTED and sad.
Posted by: Chris Bolesky | April 12, 2009 1:47 PM
Responsible breeders would rather recover and re-home dogs of their breeding that might otherwise be owner- surrendered to breed rescue or a shelter.
Many of us in rescue and foster would stand and applaud a breeder who took a dog back and re-homed, on their on recognizance, without burdening rescue volunteers or shelters.
Ultimately, our common good is served when people take responsibility for their dogs, and not need the kindness of strangers to intervene.
First Dog Bo, may you be well loved and live a long, healthy, happy life.
Posted by: Sue Burnham | April 12, 2009 1:53 PM
I'm glad for the Obama girls, but disappointed that Bo isn't a rescue. It would have sent an excellent message to potential pet owners.
Posted by: Linda | April 12, 2009 1:54 PM
Would the self-righteous please lighten up? The First Family went with a dog that had been returned to a breeder, exactly the kind of dog that could have wound up at a shelter anyway.
Hate Obama's politics or love them -- but chill the rhetoric. And if you are going to label him an elitist, for all that is sacred in this world, please at least spell the word correctly.
Posted by: Jojo Wilson | April 12, 2009 1:57 PM
The dog was a gift from Senator Kennedy. What was the President to do? Say no? Plus, did he ever really PROMISE to get a shelter dog? Come on, people! Anything and everything the Obama's do will be criticized by someone, somewhere. Be happy they have a pet at all. A donation to the DC Humane Society will certainly help the animals living there. And who knows, maybe Bo will convince them to get him a friend at some point.
Posted by: Amy | April 12, 2009 2:12 PM
check out our Bo the Dog merchandise at www.barkforchange.com
Posted by: David Brown | April 12, 2009 2:36 PM
It is disappointing that they did not choose to adopt a pet from a shelter or rescue. As a huge animal lover with 2 shelter/rescue dogs at home I also understand the need for a pet that will be the right "fit" for the family. With allergy issues being a main concern I understand the Obama's desire to find a dog that will fit with their needs. In this case the Portie is the right "fit".
Posted by: Pam | April 12, 2009 3:01 PM
Could the haters just back off and let them enjoy the new addition to their family this Easter. The Obamas certainly aren't AGAINST rescue shelters. And I think it means something that they adopted a dog that was returned from previous owners.
Keep in mind that not everybody is fit for the responsibility of a shelter dog. Neither President Obama or Michelle have any experience with pets, and also that they've probably got more important things to do than worry about potty-training. This dog is already well-trained, and well-behaved which is great for young children.
Posted by: Sophia | April 12, 2009 3:53 PM
I'm sure that the Obama family would have preferred a rescue, as they said, however it is nearly impossible to know the exact history of any shelter dog. If their shelter dog had only been half or even three-quarters Portie, it would have triggered the girls' allergies.
Chris Bolesky, your outrage is ridiculous. It's obvious you don't care about the shelter issue, you just dislike Obama.
Posted by: Alisha | April 12, 2009 4:44 PM
Extremely disappointing?
What sort of priorities do you people have? We have a banking and economic crisis, two active wars overseas with service men and women dying and pirates taking American merchant marines hostage. All this and you highest expectations are on where Obama would get the family dog?
To hell with the dog! The dog could get run over by a car today and it will make no difference in the condition of the world.
You people are sick and disgusting to put all of your expectations of our government on the Obama family dog.
Posted by: WIDTAP | April 12, 2009 5:56 PM
Dogs that are rehomed by the breeder are also rescue dogs. It takes a special person to deal with an older dog (yes even a 6 month old dog) that has been returned because it didn't work out. Most people want young puppies, 6 - 10 weeks old, and don't want to deal with "someone else's problem", so even good breeders who take their puppies back often have trouble placing them in homes of their own and the breeder didn't want to keep the dog or the breeder wouldn't have sold it in the first place. I think the Obamas acted very responsibly in their choice.
Posted by: Kit | April 12, 2009 6:09 PM
Why is a rehomed not a rescue dog? The only difference is that responsible breeder. Kudos to the Obamas and that breeder!
Posted by: Merletta | April 13, 2009 1:32 AM
Obama did say they would make every effort to have the dog they choose be a rescue dog but acknowledged that might not be possible with Malia's allergies. However, this whole 'gift' story from Sen. Kennedy seems very bogus. The whole thing smells of dishonesty and that's what I'm disappointed about. What would the family had done if they didn't have a friend like Sen. Kennedy who just happened to return have an extra dog lying around to give away? But then again, the rich and powerful always seem to have 'friends' like this who come through! Obama could have just come out and said they could not find a rescue dog and decided on the breed that was the best for their daughter. Well, whatever!
Posted by: Mirriam | April 13, 2009 11:08 AM
Yes... both Barack and Michelle Obama DID promise to get a shelter dog and they did NOT! This dog, was in fact, returned by a previous owner to the breeder. The owner immediately returned it to the breeder upon hearing it was what the Obama's wanted. Kennedy has bought three PWD from her in the past and this one shares the same lineage as his! It is only 6 months old and has already spent several weeks in Virginia with a trainer. These dogs sell for about $2,000 each, so the "returned" dog would have undoubtedly found a new buyer quickly had the Obama's not taken it. Go to your local shelter any day of the week and witness the killing of innocent dogs, then decide if what the Obama's did was the "right thing." Apparently, the Republicans WERE right about this guy! Tens of thousands of dogs are ending up in the shelters daily as the economy causes them to lose their homes and they can no longer afford their pets. Obama could have set an example, but did not. He IS an elitist and anyone who disagrees is simply in "denial". For those of us who work in animal rescue, this was a slap in the face.
Posted by: Ann | April 13, 2009 12:08 PM
So glad to hear that Obama decided to finance the euthanasia of the dog he had promised to adopt. Now that's a damned strong message for a new era! Obama--plain and simple, you lied again.
Posted by: Douglas Buffo | April 13, 2009 12:15 PM
One of his daughters is allergic to dogs. That makes it pretty hard to get a rescue dog. This is probably a pretty pricey dog and I doubt they are easy to find in shelters.
Posted by: Bridget | April 13, 2009 1:11 PM
Why is it that people are so eager to turn a positive thing like getting a dog into such a negative? Its a personal choice for the family, and I doubt it would have made that huge of a difference in persuading or dissuading others in adopting a rescued dog.
Unless you personally know someone who would have adopted directly based on Obama's choice. Even then, that's not the right reason.
Posted by: Jen | April 13, 2009 4:58 PM
The purebred dog industry was founded by middle class white people who wanted to look special or rich.
It is a status symbol industry, with a terrible underpinning of puppy mills and animal abuse
Just google search "AKC puppy mills" That is where the AKC gets their money for all those "dog shows" and "reputable breeders"
It is astounding that Obama is chasing after a status symbol with a history like that!
Posted by: Carole | April 13, 2009 5:12 PM
It reeks of "Do as I Say" and if you even raise the shadow of Hypocrisy the Obama Zombies attempt to shut down you right to free speech.
Any Liberal that supports Obama's choice of a bred dog needs to turn in their Liberal card.
Posted by: Tom | April 13, 2009 6:42 PM
These guys are unveiling the Obama family pooch -- Bo the Dog -- merchandise at www.barkforchange.com!
Guess we'll have to wait for Indoguration Day!
Posted by: David Brown | April 13, 2009 10:34 PM
Really, with all that is going on in the world today: Wars, children starving, people losing their homes, no jobs, global warning..... Who the heck cares where they got their dog from. Some of you need to find a hobby or something. Is your life that boring? Is your spouse not paying enough attention to you? Do you need to find another job to keep your mind occupied?? Why is it anyone's business where another person gets their dog from, even if he is the President of the United States.
Like another person said on another blog..."Should people stop having their own children because there are millions of children around the world waiting to be adopted?"
He is our president but we don't OWN his personal life people!!!
Posted by: Sandra | April 14, 2009 1:13 AM
It's only a dog! Who cares? It has nothing to do with politics
Posted by: denise | April 14, 2009 2:01 AM
The allergy problem greatly limited their choices. Also, labradoodles are nothing but an intentional cross between two different breeds, not something condoned by the AKC, or any responsible humane organization (and also why shelters are full of these type of dogs). I wish this family and Bo the best. He is the first dog for all of them, so a lot or responsibility rides on those fuzzy little shoulders.
Posted by: S. M. Steffenson | April 14, 2009 4:46 PM
What a wonderful addition to the family and such a thoughtful gift. In this day of heightened animal cruelty, maybe we could see human interest stories of Sasha and Malia learning the proper ways to take care of Bo, how much fun this can be, and the countless valuable life lessons that go with owning a pet (a friend, a member of the family and not just an object as in some households…) Nice photos and story.
Blessings, from an animal lover with 2 rescued family members (Airedale Terrier found in a ditch, with his littermates at 2 weeks old, all puppies head to toe with mange, and a Belgium Shepherd rescued at 4 years old from a life of abuse and neglect.)
Posted by: Nancy M. Pickut | May 23, 2009 12:39 AM