The Obama girls get their puppy … at last
By Gina Spadafori
April 12, 2009
The Washington Post finally breaks the story that has been leaking all week:
The identity of the first puppy — the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months, the one President Obama has seemed to delight in dropping hints about — leaked out yesterday. This despite White House efforts to delay the news until the big debut planned for Tuesday afternoon.
The little guy is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to the Obama girls as a gift by that Portuguese water dog-lovin’ senator himself, Edward M. Kennedy of Massachusetts. The girls named it Bo — and let it be noted that you learned that here first. Malia and Sasha chose the name, because their cousins have a cat named Bo and because first lady Michelle Obama’s father was nicknamed Diddley, a source said. (Get it? Bo . . . Diddley?)
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.
Here’s the rest. What a cutie, huh?
Update: Great post from Luisa at Lassie Get Help:
After all, I love dogs more than practically anyone. I love dogs so much, in fact, that I am ideally qualified to determine not only who should be allowed to keep a dog, but what type of dog she should be allowed to keep. [I know what you're thinking: "Sounds like she'd also be a good one to decide who should be allowed to have children!" Obviously.]
In my world In a perfect world, no one, but no one would have the “right” to choose the size or age or coat-length or temperament of the dog she adopts.
People, when you choose a friendly dog, a shy dog dies! When you choose a small dog, a big dog dies! I trust that I am making myself clear. You’ll take the dog I choose for you, thank you very much.
The message will be lost on the haters, who are already trashing the Obamas. Sure, it would have been swell if a shelter dog would have worked. But a dog from a reputable breeder that works for this family is just fine. And haters, no matter how many times you spew it, it’s not true that a reputable, ethical breeder is the same as a puppy mill. Now MYOB and let the girls enjoy their puppy.
More cute stuff for Easter Sunday: Over on Dolittler, Pet Connection BFF Dr. Patty Khuly demonstrates the proper treatment of marshmallow Peeps.
Ya, he is a cutie, alright.
However, I think your pups are more fun to see, rickrack and all. Dr. Becker was all smiles just holding them while McCutie gave a watchful eye about what was happening to her pups. A maternal concern it looked like to me.
The president’s dog, well, he has to look sort of presidentially formal—or the pictures have to, anyway.
Comment by Colorado Transplant — April 12, 2009 @ 6:53 am
Now once the criticism dies down over them getting a dog from a ‘puppy mill’, not getting a ‘real’ rescue dog, blah, blah, blah, I hope they can just enjoy having a dog.
Kudos to them for 1) getting a dog from a responsible breeder (apparently the breeder took the puppy back when it proved to be a bad fit for the original owners), 2)getting a dog that is already obedience and potty trained (cause really, the secret service has enough to do) and 3) getting a dog that is just soooooo cute!
Comment by 2CatMom — April 12, 2009 @ 7:05 am
Have you looked at some of the comments on the WaPo article? I lasted for one page glancing through them. The wingnuts are out in force. One seemed to connect the time the family spent deciding on a dog with their opinion that it was time taken away from dealing with the Somali pirates?!
My overall gut feeling is that it’s all coded racism since they know enough not use the n-word and other explicit stuff. How else to explain the over the top vitriol on something so personal as the choice of a family companion animal.
Comment by Susan Fox — April 12, 2009 @ 8:00 am
Imagine how much good the family can do as far as educating the public - buying from a responsible breeder, making more people aware that responsible breeders take dogs back when needed and that they sometimes have older pups/dogs available - and if the kids are seen walking the dog and training him: BONUS!
Oh wait, what am I saying? I meant: SHAME on them for getting a dog not from a shelter.
Comment by YesBiscuit! — April 12, 2009 @ 8:10 am
http://lassiegethelp.blogspot......o-one.html
Comment by EmilyS — April 12, 2009 @ 8:46 am
The captain has been freed and reports are that 3 of the Somali pirates are dead.
See how smart Obama is - he can let the Navy do its job and pet a puppy at the same time. And speak in full sentances as a bonus, LOL. Wow!
Comment by 2CatMom — April 12, 2009 @ 10:39 am
Sarah Andrews used to do Peeps pictures with Alibar. Here’s one:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/r.....111159412/
Comment by The OTHER Pat — April 12, 2009 @ 11:58 am
yikes, those LA Watch folks are a bit scary!
Comment by straybaby — April 12, 2009 @ 2:15 pm