Today Bo Obama becomes the newest member of the First Family, causing much excitement amongst the American media who are clearly delighted to have something else to write about other than the economic crisis, falling retail sales and record unemployment. (And one can see why: I'm not a huge dog lover, but there are some really cute photos of Bo with his new family here).
Bo is a Portuguese Water Dog, a breed named for their ability to 'herd fish into fishermen's nets, retrieve lost tackle or broken nets, and to act as couriers from ship to ship, or ship to shore' - indispensable skills for any White House pet. Six-month-old Bo was given to the Obamas by Senator Ted Kennedy and his wife, who own three 'Porties' themselves. What a relief this must be to the 'Porties for Obama' lobbyists who have been campaigning on behalf of the breed since last November, when Obama announced his intention to appoint a First Dog.
Given the recent furore over presidential etiquette, the poor prospective presidential puppy has been holed up in doggy boot camp ("lessons have been taking place at a secret, undisclosed location outside Washington") for the last few weeks learning the rules of First Dog comportment. According to the Washington Post, it sounds as if he stuck tightly to his protocol briefing when he met the First Family on a trial visit last month. Bo neither inappropriately hugged nor bowed to the President. In addition:
" He sat when the girls sat, stood when the girls stood. He made no toileting errors and did not gnaw on the furniture".
What a relief that must have been for the poor little chap - the last thing you want to do on your first visit to the White House is poop on the floor. I suspect we might be seeing quite a bit more of little Bo in the next few months - fine with me, just as long as he doesn't appear in any nauseating Christmas videos.
En France , les chiens font "ouaf ! ouaf !"
et dans les autres pays ?!
Posted by: Guylène | April 14, 2009 at 03:41 PM