Former US President Barack Obama’s family dog Bo, the former first dog, has died after a battle with cancer.
Obama and former first lady Michelle announced the passing of Bo on social media over the weekend with the former president describing Bo as a “true friend and loyal companion.”
Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog, first joined the Obamas in 2008 as a gift from the late US Senator Edward M. Kennedy. The former president had promised his daughters that they can have a dog after the election.
In a tribute to Bo, Michelle Obama wrote, “On the campaign trail, we promised our daughters that we would get a puppy after the election. At the time, Bo was supposed to be a companion for the girls. We had no idea how much he would mean to all of us.”
“For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, comforting, presence in our lives. He was there when the girls came home from school, greeting them with a wag. He was there when Barack and I needed a break, sauntering into one of our offices like he owned the place, a ball clamped firmly in his teeth. He was there when we flew on Air Force One, when tens of thousands flocked to the South Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll, and when the Pope came to visit. And when our lives slowed down, he was there too – helping us see the girls to college and adjust to life as empty nesters.”
In 2013, Bo was joined by Sunny, another Portuguese Water Dog. Both dogs were regulars at the White House. They entertained crowds at events and cheered wounded service members.
In a tribute to Bo on Instagram, the former President wrote, “For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives—happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between. He tolerated all the fuss that came with being in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, loved to jump in the pool in the summer, was unflappable with children, lived for scraps around the dinner table, and had great hair. He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly.”In
In Michelle’s tribute, she continued, “As a family, we will miss Bo dearly. But we are thankful that he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch.”