May 9, 2021 07:53 AM IST
- The Obamas announced the death of their beloved family dog Bo on Saturday.
- Bo, a Portuguese water dog, died of cancer at the age of 12, wrote Michelle Obama on Instagram.
- Photos show how Bo was an integral part of Obama’s life in the White House.
Bo, a Portuguese water dog, joined the Obamas at the White House in April 2009.
Bo, the Obama family dog, poses for a picture on the north lawn of the White House on Sept. 28, 2012.
Barack Obama Presidential Library
Bo was a gift to the Obama girls from former Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife. The breed is considered hypoallergenic and good for people like Malia who have had dog allergies.
Barack Obama and his daughters Sasha and Malia introduce their new dog, Bo, to the White House Press Corps on the South Lawn of the White House on April 14, 2009.
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Bo quickly became an integral part of life in the White House.
Barack Obama runs along the East Colonnade with Bo during the dog’s first visit to the White House on March 15, 2009.
White House / Pete Souza
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He often joined the President in the Oval Office.
Barack Obama strokes Bo in the Oval Office, June 21, 2012.
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And helped him let go in the breaks between meetings.
Barack Obama runs away from Bo during a brief break from meetings on the South Lawn of the White House on May 12, 2009.
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Every Christmas the Obamas had Bo-inspired decorations like a four-foot statue made from 40,000 pipe cleaners.
Bo sits next to a larger than life Christmas decoration of himself in the East Garden Room of the White House, Nov. 30, 2010.
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Bo wasn’t camera shy and posed for anything documentary-related …
NBC video and sound crews record the “First Dog” in the Rose Garden outside the Oval Office for their prime time program “Inside the Obama White House” on May 29, 2009.
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… for Easter video recordings.
Bo is being videotaped for the Easter Egg Roll in the White House East Colonnade on Feb.29, 2012.
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He often helped the family greet visitors and was known for his gentleness with children.
Bo will be greeted by several winners of the President’s Active Lifestyle Award on November 29, 2010 in the diplomatic reception room of the White House.
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Bo’s favorite pastimes, according to his official White House baseball card, were playing on the White House lawn and walking.
Barack Obama throws a ball for Bo in the White House Rose Garden, Sept. 9, 2010.
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Bo also accompanied the Obamas on trips outside the White House. He traveled everywhere from PetSmart in the presidential limo …
Barack Obama and Bo ride in the presidential limo en route to PetSmart in Alexandria, Va., December 21, 2011.
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… with Air Force One to Hawaii.
Barack Obama plays with Bo aboard Air Force One during a flight to Hawaii on December 23, 2011.
White House photo
“He tolerated all the excitement that came with being at the White House,” wrote Michelle Obama in an Instagram post on May 8 announcing his death. “He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him very much.”
Michelle Obama and daughters Sasha and Malia play with Bo in the snow on the South Lawn of the White House on December 19, 2009.
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