Sen.Edward Kennedy holding one of his own Portuguese water dogs, a 13-week-old named Cappy. The Kennedys have given the Obamas a six-month-old which the Obama girls are naming Bo. (Photo from Sen. Edward Kennedy's office, via AP)
by Mark Silva
The Post has the full poop on the first pup - front-page stuff no less.
They won't need the Sunday paper around the White House this morning, however, because the Obama's new dog will arrive house-trained.
It's a six-month-old Portuguese water dog whom the Obama girls already have named "Bo,'' the Washington Post's front page reports today.
He is a gift from Sen. Edward Kennedy (D-Mass.).
And he arrives well-suited for life around the White House: Tuxedo-black fur with a white chest, white paws and "rakish white goatee.''
Kennedy had made a hard-pitch for the PWD, because he has three: Sunny Splash and Cappy. His wife, Victoria, talked up the breed with Michelle Obama.
The Post even quotes the Kennedys, who apparently said this in unison: "We couldn't be happier to see the joy that Bo is bringing to (Obama daughters) Malia and Sasha. We love our Portuguese water dogs and know that the girls -- and their parents -- will love theirs too."
As for the desire of the Obamas to secure a rescue pup, if possible, well this one indeed had started life with another family, but apparently things didn't work out, a Post team of reporters that includes no less than media writer Howard Kurtz on this story reports, so the Kennedys acquired him for the Obamas.
Happy Easter, girls.
Comments
Yippee !!! I'm so happy for the Obama family.
I'd heard Michelle and the two girls NEVER had a pet dog before, they are going to LOVE caring for this little guy they got from the Kennedys..
Thanks Barack, I voted for you and I trust you with my childrens future.
Posted by: Jasime Beaupre | April 12, 2009 7:55 AM
Mark,
.
You are going to tell us that Teddy and Victoria said that exact quote in unison? It's nitpicking, but you are a reporter.
.
Some irony - Teddy Kennedy giving a "water" dog and one that he owns is named Splash. I wonder if they bare better swimmers than the owner?
Posted by: Terry | April 12, 2009 9:00 AM
Another promise broken:
"...a mutt like me..."
"..a shelter dog.."
Posted by: Mary | April 12, 2009 9:17 AM
"Chappaquiddick Ted" Kennedy giving the Obamas a WATER dog?
Posted by: Ed Murrow | April 12, 2009 10:13 AM
PWD's are good swimmers, no?
-
Can I ask what happened to the Swamp Sunrise post. Did Frank take it with him when he left? Can the deciders at the Swamp please consider the return of the SS for random off topic comments?
Posted by: rob | April 12, 2009 10:23 AM
Nice choice. All kids should grow up with a dog. My son had a lab for 16 years until he went in the Army. She passed away about 4 months later.
Posted by: Freakin | April 12, 2009 1:02 PM
I would bet lots of money that the owners of that puppy were persuaded, so to speak, to give it back.
And I wonder if Prez Obama has one original thought in his entire head. Even one. Or is everything a copy of something someone else does first.
Nice rescue dog, Obamas!
Posted by: Elizabeth | April 12, 2009 1:51 PM
Wow, the Kennedys said two complete sentences in UNISON!! Why is it that most Swamp items seem like they are press releases from the White House and DNC?
Posted by: John D | April 12, 2009 2:01 PM
a dog? is it good or bad ?
Posted by: hb2 | April 12, 2009 3:01 PM
Do Portuguese Water Dogs eat linguiça?
See
http://notionscapital.wordpress.com/2009/04/12/bo-obama-first-dog/
Posted by: Mike Licht | April 12, 2009 5:37 PM
I am not a big Obama fan, but I think whatever dog they get should be their choice. Why does everyone think they should choose someone else's dog, even though they have an allergy issue to deal with? You can't always find a shelter dog that fits that description that will also work with kids; I've been looking for awhile myself. Let the kids have their dog in peace without everyone criticizing the fact it didn't come from a shelter. Isn't it bad enough it came from Ted Kenndy?
Posted by: Marky | April 12, 2009 8:49 PM
I am truly embarrassed to admit
how much the Obama family dog
story means to me. Kind of a
symbolic thing like the thump on
the stoop of the morning paper
and the "faithful posting of the
'Swamp Sunrise'---- ahem.
Speaking of symbolism, the
comments made by previous
commentators about Senator
Kennedy and water stuff was
heartless and not made in
regard to the true spirit of
Easter. Hopefully they will save
their barks for more appropriate
pack runs.
Posted by: T=Mak | April 12, 2009 9:45 PM
I am so happy for the girls what a great looking puppy.I would love to have one the same someday,but I have four dogs now.they are a wonderful dog.Right on for the great promise and for keeping it.As a canadian we would have voted for u too,up here.Enjoy Bo,he will bring u all joys of laughter with lots of love.
Posted by: Cheryl | April 12, 2009 10:24 PM
T=Mak,
.
If I knew you would have been offended by a reference to American history, I would have waited until tomorrow to make that post.
.
Sincere apologies
Posted by: Terry | April 12, 2009 10:52 PM
Congrats on the new puppy, we have a PWD as our first dog, and there are no regrets, she's a love!
Posted by: Nicky | April 13, 2009 10:33 AM
that's a really cute puppy the girls probally love!!!!!!
Posted by: Barbra | April 13, 2009 4:00 PM
Bo is really adorable, but not as much as my beautiful, loveable black lab puppy. Enjoy girls and Michelle..dogs are the best!!
Posted by: Ruth | April 13, 2009 7:57 PM
What a lost opportunity.
Instead of adopting a homeless dog from a shelter being the next cool thing to do, buying a Portuguese Water Dog from a breeder will be the next cool thing.
This will draw thousands of disgusting dog breeders and puppy mills into breeding Portuguese Water Dogs which in turn will result in the deaths of thousands of unsold dogs or puppies who don't measure up to the "standard."
This will also lure thousands of existing owners of Portuguese Water Dogs to breed their dogs, adding to the number of surplus dogs. A commentator on ABC's This Week program stated that you don't find Portuguese Water Dogs in shelters. Get ready for that to change.
All of these activities will increase the number of all dog breeds that go unadopted at the nation's dog shelters resulting of course in increased killing of unwanted, yet perfectly adoptable dogs.
Also, I wonder if all these new Portuguese Water Dog breeders will be on the lookout for the following problems: hip dysplasia, various eye problems, GM-1 storage disease, and Hypoadrenocorticism.
To summarize: if you breed any dog breeds, you are disgusting. If you purchase a Portuguese Water Dog instead of getting a dog from a shelter, you are also disgusting. If you decide to breed your existing Portuguese Water Dog pet, then you are very disgusting. If you decide to start breeding Portuguese Water Dogs now that one is the "first dog", you are the most disgusting.
Posted by: Paul | April 14, 2009 8:40 AM
Shelters and rescue groups have many breeds of non-allergic dogs - don't breed or buy while homeless pets die. I agree Portuguese Water Dogs will be the next wave of homeless pets in shelters. What a shame.
Posted by: Teresa | April 14, 2009 4:47 PM
What a wonderful adventure those little girls will have with their new puppy. With all the pressures of life in the White House, this puppy will provide some relaxing moments for all of them. Mr. President will enjoy it too. They say pets are great stress relievers...he needs some of those moment too!! Enjoy!!!
Posted by: Sue | April 14, 2009 8:30 PM
To all that have a problem with Bo Obama, thats nothing but jealousy. Why can't the Pres. and his family enjoy the new puppy without negativity from people. You guys are just haters. Get out and get a life. Wow! Congrads to the Obamas' and Mr. Bo. He a beatiful Dogg :)
Posted by: Stacie | April 15, 2009 11:41 AM
To all that have a problem with Bo Obama, thats nothing but jealousy. Why can't the Pres. and his family enjoy the new puppy without negativity from people. You guys are just haters. Get out and get a life. Wow! Congrads to the Obamas' and Mr. Bo. He's a beatiful Dogg :)
Posted by: Stacie | April 15, 2009 11:41 AM
I'm glad the girls got a good dog to play with, but it's unfortunate that they couldn't have rescued one instead.
Posted by: Todd Sikten | April 16, 2009 12:18 AM
Cute puppy for Obamas family but not as cute as my SP puppy!Good choice!Enjoy!Enjoy! God bless!
Posted by: Jean Rodriguez | April 16, 2009 7:08 AM
Cute puppy for Obamas family but not as cute as my SP puppy!Good choice!Enjoy!Enjoy! God bless!
Posted by: Jean Rodriguez | April 16, 2009 7:08 AM
I have a PWD and he came from a rescue. He is a service dog for my son. he is aprox 18 months old and he is great. Its not hard to find them, you just need to know where to look.
Posted by: Must Label | October 26, 2009 5:58 PM
"Bo Obama" is probably not its real name. A dog doesn't carry a human family name, but the kennel name of the breeder! Read this for more information:
http://www.braquedubourbonnais.info/en/dog-name.htm
Posted by: Dog naming expert | December 18, 2009 11:32 AM