Bo, President Obama’s first pet who adored playing in the presidential suites, died on Saturday.
Michelle Obama confirmed on Instagram that Bo, who was 12 years old at the time, had cancer. President Barack Obama said the family had lost “a dear friend and beloved companion.”
Bo “was a regular, loving presence in our life for more than ten years – pleased to see us on our good days, our bad days, and every day in between,” Mr. Obama said on Twitter.
He put up with all the chaos that came with living in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, loved swimming in the pool in the summer, and had excellent hair. Among the kids, he was cool and collected.
Massachusetts Senator Edward M. Kennedy and his wife Victoria gave the first children, Malia and Sasha Obama, a 6-month-old puppy as a gift in April 2009.
The children named the dog Bo in honor of artist Bo Diddley, as well as because one of their relatives had a cat with the same name. The dog rapidly became the focus of national media interest.
Following President Donald J. Trump’s presidency, the White House was pet-free for the first time in decades.
In January, President Biden restarted the practice with his two German shepherds, Champ and Major. Following repeated bite incidents, Major was recently sent to training.
Bo was well-known for entertaining the White House press corps while playing on the South Lawn, barking during news conferences, and receiving notes of condolence from young people all throughout the country.
Naren Aryal and Danny Moore wrote Bo, America’s Commander in Leash, a children’s book about him. He also sat with his tongue out for a ceremonial White House photo.
Sunny, a second Portuguese water dog, joined Bo in the White House in 2013, after Mrs. Obama stated that Bo needed more interaction with other dogs.
Originally intended to be a companion for Malia and Sasha, Bo has come to represent much more to the Obamas, according to Mrs. Obama.
The dog entered their offices “like he owned the room, a ball clasped firmly in his teeth,” she claimed, describing him as a “constant, comforting presence in our existence.”
According to her, he went to both the Pope’s visit and the usual Easter egg roll on the South Lawn.
According to Mrs. Obama in an Instagram post signed “Michelle, Barack, Malia, Sasha, and Sunny,” after Malia and Sasha left for college, Bo helped the couple adjust to life as empty nesters.
According to what she wrote, Bo was the happiest dog last year when everyone stayed at home because of the epidemic. “Everyone was back together under one roof, just like the day we bought him.”
