The White House will once again have a pet come this Tuesday, as the Obamas will welcome their new, long-awaited dog. With TMZ's report yesterday about a Portuguese water dog heading to the White House, the White House has now granted the Washington Post the exclusive: "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?)"
The WaPo—which has a pretty extensive article about the dog, possible leaks about the dog, and First Family preparations—notes, "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," and reports that the family met a lei-wearing Bo a few weeks ago. A staffer cooed, "He's sooooo cute. It's very exciting. They had a great meeting."
Bo, a 6 month old purebred pup, is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy, who has three Portuguese water dogs (Bo is related to his dogs). He lobbied the Obamas to pick a Portie, because their coats don't shed and make them a better choice for people with allergies, as the Obama daughters do. Bo was apparently returned to the breeder, so the Obamas are "rehoming" him. President Obama was inclined to get a rescue dog from a shelter, but also acknowledged his daughters' health concerns would be a factor. And the WaPo explains, "As for the rescue pledge, the Obamas came up with a solution intended to lend a serious symbolic note: They're going to make a donation to the D.C. Humane Society."
And for more White House pet fun, check out this gallery of past pets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue.
