First Lady Michelle Obama continues to field some tough questions from our readers, but she and husband President Barack Obama took a moment yesterday to pay tribute to our nation's Canine-in-Chief, Bo, on his fourth birthday.
While the famous Portuguese Water Dog played with friends on the White House's South Lawn, his powerful parents dished on Bo's bedtime habits and who lets him up on the couch!
As we pay homage to this nation's highest office today, it's also the perfect time to celebrate the commander in chief's best friend. First Dog Bo has snuggled himself into the hearts of the Obama family, White House staff, foreign dignitaries, and the American public with his curly, cuddly fur, even-keeled temperament, and deep, soulful eyes. He's also put Portuguese Water Dogs on the map for many folks who had never heard of the breed before this pup paraded across the White House lawn in 2009. So happy Presidents' Day, Bo! We hope your day brims with treats, naps, and a gallop across the South Lawn!
Whether rolling Easter eggs or soccer balls on the White House lawn, our favorite presidential pet has had a whirlwind year. But the unabashed Portuguese Water Dog seemed just as comfortable meeting celebrity athletes as he did snuggling up with sick children during story time. So before this year goes to the dogs, let's take a look back at some of Bo's most memorable moments of 2011.
Source: Getty Images
Life isn't easy being a first pet. Between providing inspiration for White House decorations to approving the Christmas tree to appearing at worthwhile public events, it seems as though a presidential companion's work never ends. Bo, the ever-popular Obama family dog, has kept his food dish full of activities during this holiday season, which inspired us to take a look back at how his predecessors kept busy at the White House during previous administrations.
In a tradition dating back 60 years to the days of First Lady Bess Truman, Michelle Obama and Santa paid a visit to the Children's National Medical Center in Washington DC. Of course, a storytime reading of Twas the Night Before Christmas is always a hit, but what really rang in the holiday cheer was an appearance by Bo, the first family's famous Portuguese Water Dog. Dogs have long been a source of therapy and comfort for the hospital-bound, but this gentle giant seems to truly enjoy the company of his adoring fans, and the children in turn are clearly smitten with the lovable presidential pet.
For another photo of the first lady and first dog, just read more.
In honor of Presidents' Day, it's all about the animals that called the White House home. I know I can never get enough of Bo, but let's take a closer look at pets from years past.
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If you're ready to take it to a wilder level, see how much you know about the stranger animals once living in the White House.
Pets get names in the strangest ways – trust me, North knows – be it from a person, place, thing, or something else entirely. Well, Veterinary Pet Insurance (the country's largest and oldest provider), recently took tally of their 477,000 registered pets to see how many shared surnames with US presidents. After taking out ones that could double as fairly traditional human names – like Madison and Jackson – they counted up the number of dogs, cats, birds, and other exotic pets that had names in common with presidents. Find out who tops this list (then vote for your favorite) in this slideshow.
With a slightly shorter coat than he wore on last August's Vineyard trip, Bo proudly prances off the plane, all eyes on him! The Obamas will be in Vineyard Haven until Aug. 29, so here's hoping we see more of the pooch — like a second annual presidential puppy parade! — but, 'til then, there are more photos of the first dog below!
Yo ho, Bo — the first dog is at it again! The cute presidential pooch trots along the South Lawn this morning on a walk before President Obama took off for Atlanta to address the Disabled American Veterans convention.
The Portuguese Water Dog sniffs and scampers along seemingly oblivious to the cameras as he perhaps hunts for one of his favorite toys. He's only wearing a simple tan collar today (instead of this family pride one or a leash befitting a superstar) but with his selection inside the White House, I'm not surprised to spot something new. Peep more pics of this pooch in the gallery below!
It's hard to get a grip on walk time, especially with high-energy pups . . . even for the president of the United States! On their way to the Congressional Picnic yesterday (which seems to excite Bo quite a bit), Obama had to use both hands to hold him back.
Even though the leash has a loop, we see his grip wrap around the leash, not through the hole. After choosing your leash grip style, see more pictures of Bo following the leader — or should I say the leader following Bo? — in the gallery below.
