This one really hurts: Obamas lose dog Bo to cancer. Michelle posts a poignant remembrance

[hlthe2b]

I admit I got as teary reading this as thinking back to the loss of my own precious pups.

The Obamas Family Dog Bo Dies at 12 ... After Cancer Battle
https://www.tmz.com/2021/05/08/obamas-dog-bo-dies-cancer-battle/

michelleobama
Verified
This afternoon was a difficult one for our family. We said goodbye to our best friend—our dog, Bo—after a battle with cancer.

On the campaign trail in 2008, 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 off to college and adjust to life as empty nesters.

This past year, with everyone back home during the pandemic, no one was happier than Bo. All his people were under one roof again—just like the day we got him. I will always be grateful that Bo and the girls got to spend so much time together at the end.

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.

We also know we weren’t the only ones who cared for Bo, and are grateful for all the love you showed him over the years. Please hug the furry members of your family a little closer tonight—and give them a belly rub from us.

—Michelle, Barack, Malia, Sasha, and Sunny

[BigmanPigman]

1. Sniff, sniff

[Deuxcents]

2. Where's my tissues?

I lost my sweetheart, Angie, almost a year ago. I don’t think I’m over her yet so I know what a loss feels like. A very sweet msg from the Obamas..I wouldn’t expect anything less from them.

[Bayard]

3. So sorry, Obama Family

Cancer is a horrible thing for animals and humans. I've lost several dogs and cats to it over years.

[malaise]

4. I'd love to see the research re flea collars and cancer in dogs

My beloved Roots died of cancer at 12.

[Bayard]

5. I blame commercial dogfood for a lot of it

My guys have never worn flea collars. Maybe the flea/tick drops or chewies?

[malaise]

6. That too

[Maraya1969]

26. I do not give my dogs heart worm pills every month. I put walnut extract in their

water which is a natural anti parasitic and I get them tested annually. I also only use the flea drops when I have to. I wait until I see a flea and I use the flea comb. But since I am in FL I end up having to put it on them. They both become a little sick for a few hours after I give it to them. I hate that. But fleas drive them crazy so it is a hard decision.

I used to put a little garlic on their food also because that is supposed to make them less appeasing to fleas.

[malaise]

27. Thanks for the suggestions

Will pass them on

[hlthe2b]

30. This is not valid. Please do not put your dog at risk. No, I'm not here to argue with you but

I DO care about both YOU and your dog. And I DO know. Please find a veterinarian you trust to talk you through this.

[malaise]

32. Thank you hlthe2b

[Maraya1969]

34. I have always had adopted dogs and I have never once had a dog who caught heart

worms. And if you test them once a year, (or better 2 X's per year) the treatment for heart worms is the heart worm pills!

I read that it take about 90 days for an infected flea, if it infects your dog to actually make it to the heart and then it is a tiny microscopic thing It takes a very long time for heart worms to actually grow and become the thing that they show pictures of to scare you in the vet's office.

And the funny thing now is; they used to say cats didn't get heart worm. Then all of a sudden cats get heart worm and lately I don't see much for cats and heart worm, (but I haven't had a cat in a while)

They had the means to find out if a cat had heart worms after they first came out with it for dogs. Why did it take years for it to become a 'thing" for cats too?

I think it is much better to routinely test and if they are found then you treat. I think the rates of cancer have grown since the advent of heart worm and flea stuff.

Besides, if you are in the north and have a winter there is no reason you should be giving heart worm all year long when mosquitoes aren't even in the air.

[hlthe2b]

35. No. That is not true. Here is the treatment for adult heartworm disease. It includes

heartworm prevention to kill microfilaria but they do not kill the adult worms. Treatment is extensive, expensive and long. It includes a necessary arsenical melarsomine intravenously administered) to kill the adults. Thus Prevention, which is as easy as a monthly tablet containing ivermectin or related safe drugs is critically important.

You are so deceived on this and it distresses me greatly. For gawds sakes seek out a veterinarian you can trust and inform yourself.

Treament for Heartworm
https://www.heartwormsociety.org/veterinary-resources/american-heartworm-society-guidelines
https://d3ft8sckhnqim2.cloudfront.net/images/pdf/AHS_Canine_Guidelines_11_13_20.pdf?1605556516

American Heartworm SocietyTable 1. AHS-Recommended Treatment Protocol for Heartworm Disease

TreatmentDay 0 Dog diagnosed and verified as heartworm positive: • Positive antigen (Ag) test verified with microfilaria (MF) test • If no microfilariae are detected, confirm with 2nd Ag test from a different manufacturerBegin exercise restriction. • The more pronounced the signs, the stricter the exercise restrictionIf the dog is symptomatic:• Stabilize with appropriate therapy and nursing care• Prednisone prescribed at 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD 3rd and 4th weeksDay 1 Administer heartworm preventive. • If microfilariae are detected, pretreat with antihistamine and glucocorticosteroid, if not already on prednisone, to reduce risk of anaphylaxis • Observe for at least 8 hours for signs of reactionDays 1–28 Administer doxycycline 10 mg/kg BID for 4 weeks.• Reduces pathology associated with dead heartworms• Disrupts heartworm transmission Day 30 Administer heartworm preventive.Day 60 Administer heartworm preventive.First melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg intramuscularly (IM)Prescribe prednisone 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD3rd and 4th weeks.Decrease activity level even further.• Cage restriction/on leash when using yardDay 90 Administer heartworm preventive.Second melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg IMDay 91 Third melarsomine injection 2.5 mg/kg IMPrescribe prednisone 0.5 mg/kg BID 1st week, 0.5 mg/kg SID 2nd week, 0.5 mg/kg EOD3rd and 4th weeks.Continue exercise restriction for 6 to 8 weeks following last melarsomine injections.Day 120 Test for presence of microfilariae. • If positive treat with a microfilaricide and retest in 4 weeks establish year-round heartworm prevention. Day 271 Antigen test 6 months after completion; screen for microfilariae.

There is no state, no county in the US not at risk for Heartworm, with risk rising exponentially due to climate change. Even in Colorado, we can no longer count on winter to kill off all competent mosquito vectors for heartworm with mosquitoes emerging on the not infrequent 60F days that occur all too frequently with changing climate. Thus preventative is recommended and NEEDED year-round. Risk is rising in mostly indoor animals as well. Entomologists have confirmed that mosquitoes can and do enter households via all the potential avenues--even with screened windows.

[grantcart]

31. I believe that selective breeding to establish pure breeds is the most common factor.

[Upthevibe]

7. What a beautiful

tribute to Bo....R.I.P.

[Vinca]

8. Okay, I'm tearing up. It's so sad when they leave us.

[niyad]

9. Such a loving tribute to that gentle being. My heart aches for them. Be at peace, little one.

[Karadeniz]

10. Crying here, too...that's a beautiful letter Michelle wrote.

[Raven]

11. Don't the Obamas have a second dog? I'm asking because

I put my 15 year old dog to rest 2 weeks ago, also from cancer, and I was heartbroken. My second dog has been a great comfort to me. I have always had 2 dogs, one younger. The older ones have "trained" the younger ones and they are great company for each other. My dog misses her older sister but at least we have each other.

[hlthe2b]

12. Yes. Sunny.

[dflprincess]

13. Their othet dog is Sunny

Who also "signed" the note.

Bo was a gift from Ted Kennedy. For some reason that makes me feel even sadder about his passing.

And I'm so sorry for your loss.

[Boomerproud]

14. Yes, s other PWD named Sunny. I'm sure they are hugging

her close tonight. RIP Bo. I remember how lively but well trained he was. There's a YT video of him calmly walking across the tarmac and up the stairs of AF1 without even needing a leash.

[Lucinda]

15. ❤️ ✿❧🌿❧✿ ❤️

[marble falls]

16. All good dogs go to heaven.

[hlthe2b]

17. And "If there are no dogs in Heaven, then when I die I want to go where they went."

the late, great Will Rogers.

[marble falls]

23. And he had that right.

[DBoon]

20. and play with the other good dogs for an eternity

[Ka-Dinh Oy]

18. So sorry for the Obama family.

I am crying dang it.

[a kennedy]

19. Why do I miss this family sooooooooooooooooooooo much. 😫 😫 😫

[Demovictory9]

21. 😰

[Raine]

22. Very touching tribute ❤ such sad news 😓 💔

R-I-P Sweet Bo

[BobTheSubgenius]

24. We're watching our dog decline, and it's a sad, sad thing.

He's 13, which is the bottom end of the 13-16 year life expectancy for his breed (Cairn terrier - think "Toto if you're not familiar with them. It's why his name is Ozzie.) and in many ways, he's in great health. He LOOKS great - like a 4 year old. But he just needed a bunch of dental work, has fluctuating liver numbers, onset of arthritis here and there, and in 2 weeks to a month, he went deaf.

Nothing that we can't live with, and he's still a pretty happy guy, but he is a far cry from previous years. We do what we can.

[3auld6phart]

25. Dang onions

Gonna give our two rescues a belly rub from or for Bo’s sake.

[LiberatedUSA]

28. I can wholeheartedly sympathize.

I’ve taken care of Pekeingese for over half of my life. Each crossing of the rainbow bridge is soul crushing.

[snacker]

33. Oh dear.