News Alert; The First Puppy Makes a Big Splash

[Top Cat]

News Alert
11:00 p.m. ET Saturday, April 11, 2009
The First Puppy Makes a Big Splash
The biggest mystery of the Obama White House's first 100 days has been revealed: The first puppy -- the one that the Washington press corps has been yelping about for months -- is a 6-month-old Portuguese water dog given to Malia and Sasha as a gift by Sen. Edward M. Kennedy. The little guy's name? Bo.


For more information, visit washingtonpost.com

[bluestateguy]

1. Disgusting. I'm so alienated. I feel betrayed!!!

Waaaaahhh!! I'm voting for Kucinich in the 2012 primary. That's not change I can believe in! Call you congressperson NOW and demand a full investigation!

[NYC Liberal]

2. You forgot "I'm OUTRAGED!" Oh and "corporate shill" (for good measure)

did I miss any buzzwords?

[Top Cat]

3. hahahah

[Muttocracy]

4. cute article. nt

[roody]

5. Puppy mill? Yes or no.

[1776Forever]

7. TMZ Article - Says it is a Prominent Texas Kennel -

Prez Pup Coming to Obama White House Tuesday
Posted Apr 11th 2009 9:30AM by TMZ Staff

http://www.tmz.com/2009/04/11/white-house-obama-family-dog

We have lots of exclusive details on the Portuguese Water Dog President Barack Obama and Michelle are getting for Sasha and Malia. The pooch will make its grand entrance on Tuesday, and it's coming from a prominent Texas kennel, with the help of Senator Ted Kennedy's family.

The black dog -- a male -- is approximately six months old. We've learned it was bred at the kennel and sold to someone who gave it back. The kennel is now "re-homing" the dog to the Obamas. The dog was named Charlie, but the Obamas will rename it.

Now here's where the Kennedys come into play. The kennel has sold the Kennedys three Portuguese Water Dogs in the past, all from the same lineage. The dog the Obamas will be getting is from the same lineage as the Kennedy dogs. The Kennedy family will be presenting the new dog to the Obamas, but it's really coming from the kennel.

The reason this all sounds so technical is that there are issues regarding gifts to the Prez. The fact that the pup is being re-homed makes it all kosher.

[1776Forever]

6. Link & Picture

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/11/AR2009041102484.html

Bo is as adorable as the two girls are!

[TahitiNut]

9. Yup. That's one adorable pup. Almost as much of a "hug magnet" as Malia and Sasha.

I hope he brings more joy to their lives ... especially in the "fishbowl."

[tblue37]

12. He has puppy socks! nt

[Patchuli]

8. Bo is too cute!

:loveya: My wish too was that they would adopt a rescue dog but they have the right to pick their own breed and you won't necessarily find that breed waiting in a shelter. I do wish that President Obama would launch a campaign for Americans to spay and neuter and treat their pets better than they do!

3 out of 4 of my 'children' are rescues; I reserve the right to have adopted my youngest kitten from my friend's kitty's litter!

[Critters2]

11. That's why I was hoping they'd go with a standard poodle.

Easier to find in shelters, but hypoallergenic.

[Maraya1969]

13. If they launched s a campaign for American's to spay and neuter wouldn't

wouldn't that be hypocritical? I am disappointed that they didn't adopt but I can see the issue of not being able to find a dog like that in a kennel.

Then again my friend and her husband bought 4 cats that do not shed because my friend is allergic and I bet they could not find a cat like that in a shelter, especially 4 of them.

[empyreanisles]

10. I would have preferred a larger, more masculine dog.

German Sherpard or "Lassie"-type.

[SoCalDem]

14. It's kind of too bad that he's 6 months old..

Girls their age should have had the small puppy experience..especially since this is likely to be the only pet the will have during their childhood..

There is plenty of time and no shortage of people available to help them train a puppy.. It's kind of sad for them to have a "half-grown" dog..

I'm sure they will love him, but it's no substitute to seeing a litter of puppies (2-3 wks old), and finding that one special puppy that bonds with you immediately ..

Our oldest was about 10 when we bred our lab, Tasha, and while she was pregnant he said.."Mom, if Tasha has a blonde one, can I have it?".. Tasha was a black lab bred to a yellow lab..and wouldn't you know it, the first of 9 puppies was a blonde female.."Screamin' Yellow Blanca".. He LOVED that dog.. and as a 36 yr old grown man, he still tears up when he talks about her..and he still has her collar hanging up on the wall of his family room..

[1776Forever]

15. From my understanding of what I read Bo was brought back to the kennel for some reason.

The family that had him had to return Bo to the kennel for whatever reason and Bo became available then to adopt by someone else. That is why he is 6 months old. Still a puppy though. My pug is 1 1/2 and still has a lot of the puppy tendencies.

Thanks for the story about your Labrador. It is truly amazing how much love one dog can give to a family.

:fistbump: