On Saturday, former first lady Michelle Obama announced the tragic news on Instagram.
Dogs are the most adorable creatures on this planet and if you give them a chance they will prove to be a better friend to you than humans. I'm sure, pet parents everywhere will agree with this and also the fact that there is arguably no greater heartbreak than losing one's pooch.
The Obama family recently experienced such distress after losing their family dog, Bo. On Saturday, former first lady Michelle Obama announced the tragic news on Instagram and shared that they had to say goodbye to their "best friend" following his battle with cancer.
In a touching post, Michelle revealed that Bo, a Portuguese water dog, was gifted to the family in 2009 by the late senator Ted Kennedy, according to CBS News. They originally adopted the adorable pup as a companion for their two daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama. "On the campaign trail in 2008, we promised our daughters that we would get a puppy after the election. At the time, Bo was supposed to be a companion for the girls. We had no idea how much he would mean to all of us," wrote the former first lady. Describing the significance he had in their lives, the author of Becoming noted, "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. He was there when Barack and I needed a break, sauntering into one of our offices like he owned the place, a ball clamped firmly in his teeth. He was there when we flew on Air Force One, when tens of thousands flocked to the South Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll, and when the Pope came to visit," she continued. "And when our lives slowed down, he was there, too—helping us see the girls off to college and adjust to life as empty-nesters," she added.
Then the pandemic hit and forced every member of the family to move back home. Mrs. Obmama shared that there was "no one happier than Bo" at the time. "This past year, with everyone back home during the pandemic, no one was happier than Bo. 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," expressed the 57-year-old.
"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. We also know we weren’t the only ones who cared for Bo, and are grateful for all the love you showed him over the years. Please hug the furry members of your family a little closer tonight—and give them a belly rub from us," she wrote concluding the sweet post.
In 2013, Bo was joined by a female companion Portuguese water dog named Sunny in the White House. Both were a constant presence around the White House and were quite popular among visitors as they joined Obamas for public events. The day Bo made his press debut on the South Lawn of the White House, Former POTUS Barack Obama noted that he definitely had the "star quality." At the time he jokingly added, "You know what they say about if you want a friend in Washington, get a dog? Well, I'm finally going to have a friend."
Obama also shared a heartfelt tribute for his beloved Bo on his social media accounts that read, "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." He fondly recalled a few adorable moments spent with his pooch. "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. He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly," wrote Obama in a follow-up tweet.
R.I.P, Bo!
References:
https://www.cbsnews.com/news/bo-obama-dies-white-house-dog/
Cover image source: Getty Images | Photo by Alex Wong / Staff, Inset: The White House / Handout
