Obamas announce passing of family dog Bo

Rest in Peace, Bo Obama. This past weekend, former first lady Michelle and former president Barack Obama shared some sad news. The family had to say goodbye to their 12-year-old Portuguese Water Dog, Bo, after a battle with cancer. Bo was with the family for many of their major milestones throughout Barack Obama’s presidency. When on the campaign trail in 2008, the Obama’s promised their daughters Sasha and Malia that they would get a puppy if Barack won the election. Bo was that pup. 

“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,” Michelle said in an Instagram post. “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.”

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A post shared by Michelle Obama (@michelleobama)

Bo joined the Obama family and was brought to the White House in 2009, not long after Barack's first term started. The Obama's other Portugese Water Dog, Sunny, joined the family in 2013 and she will be turning nine this coming June.

"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.," Barack said in a Facebook post. "He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly."

Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion. 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. pic.twitter.com/qKMNojiu9V

— Barack Obama (@BarackObama) May 8, 2021