Sunday, April 12, 2009

First Dog




The latest buzz from D.C. is something going on in an undisclosed location.

Welcome Bo! The kids named him.

I love this picture of the family gathered around meeting the newest addition to their family, not posing for the cameras, but focused on "Bo".

Bo is a 6 month old pup, a gift from Ted Kennedy. Bo was not a shelter dog, but he did have a different family that he was not a good match with.
Anyway.... the whole family has never had a dog before, so it is a new experience.

The L.A. Times reports:

" A secret get-acquainted session with the family occurred at the White House a few weeks ago. The visit, known around the White House as "The Meeting," was a surprise for the girls. Bo charmed the first family, a source who was there said. He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toilet 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.
Bo's a handsome little guy. Well suited for formal occasions at the White House, he's got tuxedo-black fur, with a white chest, white paws and a rakish white goatee."
Bo is a Portuguese water dog, wearing a multicolored Hawaiian lei.


How does the quote go....: If you want a friend in D.C. - get a dog.

7 comments:

Fran said...

Adult Portugese water dogs look like a giant version of a "Toto" dog (from the Wizard of Oz!)
This breed gets to be 42-55 lbs.

It's cool the way they did the top secret "meeting" to introduce the kids to the dog, without a media frenzy.
There will be plenty of that later.

It's probably like Christmas in April for the Obama kids, who could not wait for the day they got their first dog ever.

Unknown said...

He is adorable of course.

He will be a nice diversion for everyone in the family, even the President.

Fran said...

The Obamas have been pretty cool about wanting the kids to stay grounded. I remember MIchelle saying she wanted the kids to continue making their own beds.... not to have "waitstaff" & be treated like royalty.

Part of the deal with the dog was the kids needed to take the responsibility to help care for the dog.
Of course there will probably be professional groomers, but the kids will be doing hands on stuff...
probably even picking up after the doggy, cause in real life, that is part of having an animal to care for.
I think that is good parenting.
They will probably need the unconditional love a critter brings... DC is a rough place.

D.K. Raed said...

To me, Porties look more like unclipped stout std poodles! Poodles are also hypoallergenic and supersmart and love the water, so I bet they are closely related breeds.

Now BO will have to whip that previously non-dog owning household into dog-shape! No more sleeping in or running off to do your own things, girls. You got dog responsibilities!

All children should have a dog. IMO, you cannot be a well-rounded human being until you've loved and made a dog part of your family.

I love little BO already! I also loved seeing the adult porties with Ted Kennedy, walking along the dock at Hyannisport, jumping in the water off his sailboat. They even accompanied him on his first appearance back in the senate after his surgery. He is always very aware of them as are they of him. Very protective. Let's hope BO and the Obamas bond in the same loving way.

Fran said...

They kind of look like a poodle/St. Bernard cross!
Or Toto on steroids!

Anyway, sweet pup.
They must have plenty of acres to keep him out of the garden space. I'm sure he will be a pampered pooch.

Mauigirl said...

Very cute! I'm so glad they got him. I like that although he is a purebred, they got him because he had not been well-placed with a previous family, so in effect is kind of a rescue. They are also going to donate to the Humane Society in DC to help further the cause of shelter dogs since they needed a hypoallergenic dog and Portuguese Water Dogs don't usually end up in shelters.

Fran said...

alls well that ends well = )