President Barack Obama, First Lady Michelle Obama, and daughters Malia, second from right, and Sasha Obama, ran their 6-month-old Portuguese water dog Bo on the South Lawn at the White House today. (Photo by Charles Dharapak / AP)
by Mark Silva
"He's a star,'' President Barack Obama said today of the first family's new dog, Bo. "He's got star qualities.''
The Portuguese water dog officially registered as Amigo's New Hope but known to the Obama family as "Bo'' certainly drew a sizeable pack of photographers to the South Lawn of the White House, where the president, his wife and daughters trotted out the white-pawed, six-month-old first pet for his formal debut.
These dogs have webbed feet, Obama noted of a working breed famed for helping fishermen gather their nets. They also like tomatoes, he noted.
"Michelle's tomato garden is in danger,'' he said.
No tomatoes yet, the first lady said.
Daughters Sasha and Malia ran the dog around the soggy South Lawn, where the president was asked if Bo will be sleeping in bed.
"Not my bed,'' Obama said.
(Photos by Charles Dharapak / AP)
Comments
The new "Checkers". Given through deceit by Kennedy.
Guess Malia's allergies are not affected by the dogs long hair.
No mutt, no shelter dog.
Can't trust Obama for even what he said about the family dog.
Vote out the faux president.
Posted by: Celil | April 14, 2009 5:08 PM
Celil--better check your facts before spouting off your indignations! This type of dog is GREAT for people who have allergies. And, the Obamas made a contribution to a shelter. Get real.
Posted by: Janstress | April 14, 2009 5:27 PM
Media = alerted
Citizenry = breathing easier
Posted by: Chris | April 14, 2009 5:34 PM
Every pet needs a home. I don't really care where they got the dog from. I'm trhilled they didn't go buy one at a petstore, but even those pets need a home too. Often those are the one's who end up in shelters.
Vote out the Faux President? Really? Seriously?
How exactly is he Faux? I assume you mean vote him out in 4 years...unless you have a secret ballot?
Posted by: Michael | April 14, 2009 5:39 PM
The Obamas are this dog's second owners--he was returned to the breeder after he didn't work out in his first home. No, he didn't go to a shelter, but he's still a rescue. The first owners could have put him in a shelter or put him to sleep rather than return him.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 14, 2009 5:50 PM
I think he is adorable! I want a pup of my own! (But make mine a black lab please!)
Posted by: Sherie Sanders | April 14, 2009 6:00 PM
Doesn't matter that he donated money to a shelter, had he actually adopted FROM a shelter, then all his "believers" would have followed in step and thousands of dogs would have been adopted. Instead, too many Portuguese Water Dogs will be bred thru puppy mills and eventually end up suffering. Way to B.O. - I can understand not being able to keep your word about earmarks or not having lobbyists in the administration but dogs too???
Posted by: vince | April 14, 2009 6:01 PM
They should have named it Ayers because that dog is gonna be droppin bombs all over the front lawn.
Posted by: Mike | April 14, 2009 6:15 PM
God bless the Obama Family!
God bless beautiful Bo!
Posted by: Sandy | April 14, 2009 6:21 PM
It's a little scary that some people can't tell the difference between national policy and a family pet.
Posted by: fussy | April 14, 2009 6:40 PM
The new "Checkers". Given through deceit by Kennedy.
Guess Malia's allergies are not affected by the dogs long hair.
No mutt, no shelter dog.
Can't trust Obama for even what he said about the family dog.
Vote out the faux president.
I trust Obama long before a no-brain like you. Why don't you just critique the way he breathes oxygen and get it over with.
Posted by: Disgusted | April 14, 2009 6:44 PM
Pres Obama should have just rounded up Cheney and Rove and put them on a leash.
The way those two war criminals trashed this country the very least of their punishment should be spending some time serving as the White House dogs.
Posted by: Hulk Smash! | April 14, 2009 7:00 PM
Bo is adorable. The dog will always have a good home.
Posted by: Pat | April 14, 2009 7:23 PM
Vince:
Did you even read anything about the breed??? Only 400-500 are bred in the US every year. The owners/breeders of the dog aren't money grubbing idiots! READ!!!
Posted by: lochnessmonster | April 14, 2009 7:34 PM
Posted by: vince | April 14, 2009 6:01 PM
--------------------------------------------------------
Must...... grasp..... at................. straws........... to prove.................... hatred of ........................... Obama.
Posted by: I heart Schadenfreude | April 14, 2009 7:38 PM
I would love to become "BO" Dogsister. He will learn spanish and and sleep in my bed every night........
Posted by: milagros jaquez | April 14, 2009 8:08 PM
Come on, he's a politician of course he would not take a shelter dog...
As for the hair -- poor Malia
Posted by: Ed Kasprzycki | April 14, 2009 8:51 PM
Brian Williams said it best as he signed off the NBC Nightly news tonight- Glad to see Bo was able to take the Obama family for a walk.
Posted by: JEN | April 14, 2009 9:15 PM
Leave politics out of this issue and be happy that Sasha and Malia have a new puppy.
Posted by: GeneTierney | April 14, 2009 9:20 PM
I am so excited for the girls and could not wait to get home from work today and see the dog. We have a Dalmatian and she is the love of our life. Watch the Dog Whisperer on the National Geographic channel and maybe invite him to teach the family to be good pack leaders. He has wonderful ideas for dog owners. Willl the dog have a web site? My dog would love to e-mail Bo. Thanks for being the wonderful people you are and sharing your dog with us.
Posted by: Catherine Strange | April 14, 2009 9:30 PM
It really does not matter whether he went to a shelter to get a dog if it was given to him as a gift. What? He was suppose to say he did not want the dog he was going to go to the shelter to get a dog. Get real!!
God Bless President Obama, his family and Bo the new addition to the family.
Posted by: Erma | April 14, 2009 9:34 PM
I commend President Obama for the putting his child's well being first.
Have you ever lived with anyone with allergy issues? As the parent of a child that suffers from allergic issues, if the Obamas has put their child at risk for allergic flare-ups for the sake of parading a rescue animal around before the cameras, I, as most parents that love their children, would have seen it for what it would have been, disgraceful!
Idiots, and sore loser, that would be right wing "nuts," will continue to bog down the their own idiocy. Good decision, as usually, President Obama.
Posted by: Breezy | April 14, 2009 10:05 PM
Childhood alergies oft go away. Adults can acquire allergies they did not have in childhood.
Who knew?
Anyway, a little secret about dogs:
If you really want a new dog to bond with you, let the dog sleep in your bedroom from day one.
By instinct he will sleep at the threshold of the door.
This breed seems to be inclined to chew things, so I would keep him away from that copy of the Gettysburg Address that resides in the Lincoln Bedroom.
Above all, always remember:
Dogs are only human.
Posted by: ornery | April 15, 2009 12:42 AM
I'm a bit surprised that Joe hasn't pointed out that Bo is the one with white feet. A missed opportunity, Joe.
Posted by: Flo | April 15, 2009 11:14 AM
First BO, now Bo. Did you notice the dog has more black on him than white?
Posted by: Harold Reimann | April 15, 2009 11:26 AM
Lochness,did your oxygen mask fall off? Try to comprehend this: When there is great demand for a particular item or in this case family pet, the supply will eventually rise to meet demand. Even a half wit such as yourself could get a couple dogs and start a "mill." Don't be so naive!
Posted by: vince | April 15, 2009 2:18 PM
Bo is so cute...its a pet and I hope he brings happiness to the first family as they are working to bring happiness back to our nation!
Posted by: Brenda R Bryles | April 20, 2009 8:10 AM