President Barack Obama and his family adopted a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo
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Bo is one lucky pooch—he has the run of the White House, has vacationed on Martha’s Vineyard, and has Michelle wrapped around his little paw. But he earns his keep, too, and helped his owner win a second term.
Bo: A Dog’s Life in the Obama White House
Living in the White House has downsides for nearly every member of the First Family. The President’s daughters are entering adolescence with the added pressure of being in the public eye. For the First Lady, a trip to Target is a national-security concern. And of course, President Obama has the most stressful job in the world.
But for Bo, the Obamas’ Portuguese water dog, life in the executive mansion has been just about perfect. He spent his first term playing with visitors and staff, meeting foreign dignitaries, and looking adorable for White House photographer Pete Souza.
It seems Bo was destined for 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He was born in Texas on October 9, 2008, during the final weeks of Obama’s bid for the presidency. Bo’s breeders, Art and Martha Stern—ardent Obama supporters—gave the litter names inspired by the newly elected President. They called the puppy that would become Bo “New Hope.”
A family in Washington bought New Hope, but their older dog didn’t like him. Meanwhile, Obama proclaimed during his victory speech that daughters Sasha and Malia had “earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”
Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife, Vicki—who had purchased their Portuguese water dogs from the Sterns—heard that New Hope needed a home. With the Obamas’ consent, Vicki Kennedy bought him as a gift for the First Family. The fluffy black-and-white puppy arrived at the White House on April 14, 2009, instantly becoming the nation’s luckiest dog.
https://www.washingtonian.com/2013/01/02/bo-a-dogs-life-in-the-obama-white-house/
