Royal welcome for First Dog 'Bo'

15 Apr 2009, 11:08 am   -   Source: AFP
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The newest addition to the Obama family has finally emerged from the White House on a leash held by First Lady Michelle Obama.

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New White House dog Bo took a bow before a paparazzi-style pack of cameras, prompting President Barack Obama to proclaim the new First Pet had "star quality".

The newest addition to the Obama family, a cuddly black-and-white Portuguese water dog, finally emerged from the White House on a leash held by First Lady Michelle Obama, ending a long saga dating back to the 2008 campaign trail.

The pooch was promised by Obama to his daughters Malia 10, and Sasha seven, to make up for his long absences while running for president.

The six-month-old dog drew a chorus of "ahhhhs" as it was paraded before journalists by the girls at a photo op on the south lawn of the White House, and Obama was asked where the new pet would sleep in the presidential mansion.

"Not in my bed," he joked and said that the breathless news coverage of the dogs imminent arrival was "spectacular" and said Bo had "star quality".

Obama also said he had heard that Portuguese water dogs were partial to tomatoes, adding: "Michelle's garden is in danger".

Asked about former president Harry S Truman's remark that the only way to have a friend in Washington was to get a dog, Obama said: "I finally got a friend - it took some time".

After showing off their new pet to the cameras, the Obama family took a long walk around the White House grounds, with the tail-wagging pooch in tow.

At one stage, in what might be the most photographed dog walk in history, the president broke into a run as the dog yanked on the leash and nearly pulled him over.

For a White House that likes to keep the media on a tight leash, the saga of the Obama dog has been a source of favourable stories for months - barely a presidential news interview has gone by without a canine question.

The dog is a gift to the Obama family from veteran Senator Edward Kennedy, who owns several Portuguese water dogs.

The Washington Post reported that the girls named the pet Bo in part because their cousins have a cat of the same name, and perhaps after Michelle Obama's late father's nickname Diddley, after the late rock 'n' roll legend Bo Diddley.

The list of breeds in contention was narrowed by Malia Obama's allergy to many dogs. Presidential pets have long been a focus of intense interest.

Every president since Calvin Coolidge, who took office in 1923, has had at least one dog in the White House, according to dogsinthenews.com.

More recently, Bill Clinton formed a close bond with a chocolate labrador named Buddy, and the former president was devastated when his faithful friend was run over by a car after he left office.

With a history going back to pre-Christian times, the Portuguese Water Dog travelled the world with 15th century Portuguese explorers, swimming between ships with its webbed feet.

Fishermen meanwhile used them to recover lost nets and guard boats.

The breed slipped out of favour during the 20th century until enthusiasts in Portugal and the United States launched a revival - inspired by the dogs' gentle temperament, particularly with children. They are sturdy working dogs with a very high energy level.

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