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He might have been a pampered pooch, but like most dogs he lived for scraps from around the dinner table – and like many a beloved family pet, his passing at the age of 12 has left a void in the hearts of America’s former first family.
READ MORE| First pets! Meet the animals that have lived it up in the White House
Barack Obama took to social media to pay tribute to “a true and loyal friend”. “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 every day in between,” Obama says. “He tolerated all the fuss that came with being in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, lived for scraps around the dinner table and had great hair.”
Bo became the Obamas first pet in the White House when he was gifted to them soon after Barack took office. “At the time, Bo was supposed to be a companion for the girls,” former first lady Michelle says. “We had no idea how much he would mean to all of us.”
Over the past year, with daughters Malia (22) and Sasha (19) back home from university during the pandemic, no one was happier than Bo, she adds. “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.”
Bo died after losing his battle with cancer, but he certainly lived a charmed life – he flew around the world first class, welcomed dignitaries to the White House and loved nothing more than being petted by his family. “We are thankful he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch,” Michelle says.
Here’s a look at five of the former first dog’s most memorable moments:
The Obamas officially introduce their First Dog, Bo, to the world in March 2009
Bo often accompanied the family to many of their engagements. In 2009 he went with Sasha, Malia and Michelle to the Children's National Medical Center in Washington for the Christmas season.
In 2013, Bo got a furry friend when the Obamas brought home Sunny, a female Portuguese Water Dog. The two first dogs were well-known and loved by those who visited the White House.
A staff member from the White House shakes Bo’s paw at the annual Easter Egg Roll in 2016.
The happy hound enjoyed taking walks, playing fetch, and snuggling on the couch.
Sources: Instagram, Twitter, The New York Times, The Wall Street Journal, CBS News
