Posts tagged "bo obama"

Ever since Bo joined the Obama family back in April 2009, he's captured the hearts of America with his furry face, rambunctious energy and overall cuteness. And this holiday season, the presidential Portuguese water dog is really getting into it. In fact, he's -- quite literally -- part of the White House's beautiful Christmas decorations. A sculpture of the First Family Dog, which was made of pipe cleaners, is prominently featured in larger-than-life decoration form in the Booksellers Hall of the White House.

Each year, White House staff members and volunteers from across the country turn the regal White House into a Christmas extravaganza, attracting an expected 100,000 visitors this month. This year the White House theme is "Simple Gifts," which focuses on family, nature, food and music -- the simple pleasures in our lives. And, of course, Bo is part of the decorations, as he's a very important member of the Obama family.

Want to learn more about how the White House gets into the Christmas spirit? Watch a behind-the-scenes video of the making of Simple Gifts, courtesy of the White House:



To see a slideshow of the White House Christmas decorations -- including Christmas cookies featuring Bo and a marzipan replica of the First Dog in front of the White Chocolate Gingerbread House -- go to Holidash.

Dog Whisperer Chides Obama, Bush
"Dog Whisperer With Cesar Millan" kicks off its seventh season tonight, but that's not the only reason Cesar Millan's been in the news lately. He recently criticized both President Obama and President Bush for their lack of discipline when it comes to their dogs, Bo and Barney. Go to USA Today to check out what Millan said about how these world leaders fail as pack leaders.

Pet Healthcare on a Budget
The Great Recession officially ended in June 2009, but that doesn't mean much when most of us are still pinching our pennies. One thing we don't want to sacrifice through the tight times is the health of ours pets, but when budgeting for veterinary care, cutting costs doesn't mean you have to cut corners. Zootoo has the scoop on how you can save your dollars without compromising your pet's health.

"Grey's Anatomy" Tot Is Best Pals With Family Dogs
Bringing a newborn home to a house with pet dogs may make some prospective parents a bit nervous, but it's not necessarily as complicated as the wary might worry. Ellen Pompeo of "Grey's Anatomy" fame had a baby girl a year ago, and it seems little Stella has taken quite a shine to her mom's poodles, Gigi and Valentino. People Pets has the story of the celeb toddler and pooches who are already BFF.

Pharaoh Hounds Quiz
The pharaoh hound is an eye-catching breed. Athletic and dignified, these noble dogs capture the attention and interest of any canine connoisseur. Our friends at Pet Sugar want to know, "How Much Do You Know About Pharaoh Hounds?" Take their quiz to find out! When you're done, check out Paw Nation's "Pharaoh Hounds 101" to learn even more about the breed.

"I just knew I'd end up doing this every day. The girls promised me that if I got them a dog that they would be responsible and take care of it, but just like every parent ever, here I am. Getting dragged by the dog. But that's OK; it's not like I don't have more important things to do. It's not like I'm the President of the United States."

Well, at least that's what we imagine he's thinking as Bo pulls him down the path. What we do know is that the President is not alone in having a dog take charge of the walk. Check out our video, Pet On The Street, where dog owners answer the question: Do you walk your dog or does your dog walk you?

With so many puppy videos and so little time, we've gone the extra mile and begun cataloging some of the finest YouTube offerings, separating each collection by breed in a feature called Puppy Party!

Today's round-up features the precocious Portuguese water dog! If these playful pups look familiar, there's a good reason -- presidential pooch Bo Obama is a Portuguese water dog.

What we wouldn't give to take a swim in this sea of cuteness!

They say that pets don't make good gifts, but in this case we think the Obama family came out on the winning end. According to the President's own financial disclosure forms, his "welcome to the White House" gift -- Bo the Portuguese water dog -- is valued at a whopping $1,600.

The world-famous "Portie" was a gift from the late Sen. Edward Kennedy and his wife Victoria last April, who also adopted one of Bo's litter mates. And even thought the President didn't actually have to shell out the cash himself, White House protocol dictates that he disclose all of his gifts and their financial value.

So is $1,600 a good price for a purebred Portie? While we don't know if the figure represents the actual price that the Kennedys paid for Bo, or rather an estimate by the President's accountant, that price tag isn't quite as high as it may seem. In fact, Bo was on the discount rack when the Kennedys scooped him up.

Although Bo's breeder was quoted as saying that she doesn't consider him a rescue dog, Bo had originally been placed with a family in Virginia and was later returned to the breeder.

After scouring the web for a Portuguese water dog puppy, it appears that $2,500 is the average going rate for a pup that comes from "champion lines." Of course, it's hard to determine if the Obama effect has driven prices up for these allergy-friendly dogs. Just like with the Labradoodle craze, Porties are a breed that skyrocketed from semi-obscurity to super fame in an extremely short period of time.

Bo Obama has already spent a whole year in the White House. Can you believe it? Celebrate with us as we mark the First Dog's first full year in his new home.

The president's best friend has often been a pooch -- providing rough and tumble fun and companionship to offset the serious business of running the country. This year, the Newseum in Washington, D.C. explores that relationship, offering a closer look at the lives of the nation's "First Dogs." Cathy Trost, the director of exhibit development for the Newseum, spoke with Paw Nation:

The "First Dogs" exhibit is one of the Newseum's most popular shows. Were you surprised by the interest?
Everyone loves a good animal story. People want to know about our political leaders and the pets that humanize them.

So is the oft-repeated quote true? "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog?"
The quotation is often attributed to President Harry Truman, but he probably didn't say it. In fact, he was given an adorable cocker spaniel as a gift in 1947 and gave it away almost immediately. But of all the White House pets – and there have been hundreds of them – dogs have definitely been the most popular.

How much of a factor has Bo Obama been in the popularity of the exhibit?"
I'm not sure anybody was really ready for "Bo-mania." When President Obama was elected and we heard he had made that pledge to his daughters that a puppy would be coming with them to the White House, we saved a prime spot. And boy, did they deliver one cute dog!

Did you imagine you'd ever see the First Lady of the United States and the Great High Empress of Planet Earth both simultaneously abandon all of their stately dignity in a fit of coos and giggles? What could reduce these two proud Chicagoans to inane baby talk? Why, the cutest canine in the capital, of course. Jackie Kennedy might've said "gauche," but Paw Nation approves.

Michelle Obama spoke to Jay Leno recently about important matters affecting the country. Namely, Bo's birthday.

When asked about Bo's first birthday party, she revealed that the family had a "sweet celebration" in the rose garden. Bo's brother Cappy came over, and they had party hats and even a dog-house cake made out of "veal stuff." There was one snafu, though, when Cappy stole the rest of the cake off the table! But, the first lady said, "Bo didn't seem to mind."

Sounds like a better birthday party than most kids get. It's good to be the First Dog!

There's that old wives tale about owners looking like their dogs, but can you and your dog share more than just looks?

In the video above, one Kentucky woman tries to convince us that her dog Opie has an opinion on our current president. This got us wondering -- should pets become unsuspecting campaigners?

We have a feeling Bo Obama would have something to say about this.

Martha B. Stern, the breeder of First Dog Bo Obama, died July 21 at the age of 72.

Stern and her husband Arthur were thrust into the national spotlight earlier this year when Bo -- one of nine puppies born at their Texas kennel, Amigo Portuguese Water Dogs -- was selected to become the First Family's pet.

The Sterns first became intrigued by the Portuguese Water Dog while watching the Westminster Kennel Club dog show in the 1980s, reports the Houston Chronicle. "She was a longtime breeder and had a fine reputation," Stuart Freeman, President of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America, told Paw Nation.

Senator Ted Kennedy, who owns three pet Portuguese Water Dogs bred by the Sterns, formally gifted Bo to the Obamas. At the time, Mrs. Stern shared a light-hearted prediction of the rambunctious puppy: "He's going to be a little gentleman, believe me -- until he sees that fountain," she laughingly told Pet Connection in April. "He'll be splashing around and saying, 'Where's the fish? Where's the fish?' We're expecting great things of that little fellow."

The family requests that any memorial contributions be made to the Portuguese Water Dog Foundation, Inc., P.O. Box 203, Parker Ford, Pa. 19457-0203 or AKC Canine Health Foundation, 8051 Arco Corporate Drive, Suite 300, Raleigh, N.C. 27617-3901.

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Our little Bo is growing up! The presidential pup --- famous for acting "crazy" and trying to chew on people's feet --- posed for his first official portrait taken on the South Lawn of the White House. Doing his best to look dignified, Bo gazes off into the distance with a jaunty little thrust of his left front paw (the one that looks as if he's wearing a white tube sock pulled up to his knee).

Still, Bo can't hide his innate playfulness --- just look at that open mouth and bit of tongue hanging out. He's waiting for someone to throw a ball!

Want to know more about Bo? Download his baseball card from the White House website. It doesn't include his batting average, but it does reveal that his hobbies include "playing on the White House lawn and going on walks
with the Obama family," and his lofty goal as first dog: to make friends with foreign dognitaries.

But don't believe the part about tomatoes being his favorite food; that was apparently a little joke by the White House. (Tomatoes can be toxic to dogs.)

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You've got the Bo Obama Beanie Baby, water bowl and teddy bear. Now, there's a new toy in town.

Add the Bo Obama Stuffed Animal to your First Dog collection. The plush pup hit German shelves this week in Bad Koesen, eastern Germany.

The Kösen toy company's Portuguese Water dog looks like it's fit to meet the cuddling requirements for humans and pets alike.

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The White House just lost a whole lot of slobber -- about 90% to be exact.

First Dog Bo Obama recently placed an order for the Road Refresher dog bowl featured on BBC's Dragon's Den, a show where entrepreneurs seeking investment pitch ideas to capitalists.

Road Refresher creator Natalie Ellis seized the opportunity to customize her spill and slobber-eliminating bowl for Bo. With a classic White House design, American flag, and his name glimmering in rhinestones, the presidential pooch can now stay hydrated at all times, whether he's visiting the president in the Oval Office or playing fetch with the Secret Service on the South Lawn.

"I was taken aback. It's absolutely amazing to think my invention is going to be used in the White House," Ellis told Daily Mail Online.

But Ellis wasn't sure her non-spill dog bowl would ever make it to America. Last April, the 'Dragon' panel refused to invest £120,000 ($191,326,531) in Ellis' Road Refresher and told her that she had no chance of selling her product in the States.

Ignoring their warning, Ellis sold her invention in pet shops in Britain and Europe for a few months before bringing it to America. Since her arrival in the U.S., Ellis has made over £1 million ($1,594,388) from Road Refresher sales.

While the investors from Dragon's Den may be kicking themselves, Ellis and the Obamas won't be crying over spilled water anytime soon.

"I knew the product was good and I realized the Dragons were wrong -- they are only people sitting in their chairs. I'm glad they didn't say yes now," said Ellis.

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That face. Those eyes! The wavy black (and white!) hair. Bo, the six-month old Portuguese Water Dog who just became the Obamas' family pet and nation's First Pup, is an indisputable cutie.
"You have to be proud and thrilled that they picked our breed," says Stu Freeman, President of the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America (PWDCA), which is dedicated to the breed's health and welfare. (Bo's breeders, Art and Martha Stern, belong to the PWDCA.) "But at the same time, it's 'Oh my god, you could end up with people who get the dog and don't know much about them.'"

Will the Portuguese Water Dog (or "Portie" for short) become the next "must have" dog?

"It's a concern for our club," admits Mary Harkins, Coordinator of the Rescue & Relocation Program -- enough for the club to have already issued a press release. "Lots of people tend to want a dog like the President has. After [the movie] '101 Dalmations,' lots of people got dalmations and lots started breeding them." And many of those dogs ended up in shelters and with rescue groups.

Is a Portie Right for You?

Here's what you need to know about this loyal, affectionate, hardy breed:

- Portuguese Water Dogs are very active, high-energy dogs that need lots of daily exercise. "If you don't keep them busy, they'll keep themselves busy," says Freeman, meaning, not in a good way.

- They are extremely intelligent and easy to housetrain.

- They are very people-oriented and become attached to their humans. "They're fine for about three or fours if left alone or with other dogs," says Freeman. "But it's not the kind of dog you leave alone for eight hours while you go to work."

- Porties are "wonderful around children," but not very young ones who may poke and push the dog.

- Because they can be headstrong, Porties need lots of training. "They react very well to positive reinforcement, but very badly to aggressive methods," says Freeman.

- Porties need regular grooming. They have hair, rather than fur, that needs to be trimmed, cut, and brushed constantly. "Or else their hair becomes knotted up and looks terrible," says Freeman.

Read more about Portie puppies and who is, and isn't, a good match. If you still think the Portie is right for you, contact the PWDCA, which maintains a referral list of responsible breeders. And remember, websites such as Petfinder.com also list puppies and dogs of all kinds that need good homes too.

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