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Bow Watch | 04/10/2009 7:40 pm

White House Dog to Come Tuesday – And It's a Kennedy

The dog the Obamas will be getting is from the same lineage as the Kennedy dogs, reports entertainment website TMZ.
By The Staff at wowOwow.com
Portuguese water dog/ Ted Kennedy
AP

Expect the First Family dog to grace the White House lawn on Tuesday — and according to the entertainment website TMZ, the Portuguese water dog is a prestigious Kennedy.

"It’s coming from a prominent Texas kennel, with the help of Sen. Ted Kennedy’s family … The dog the Obamas will be getting is from the same lineage as the Kennedy dogs … The black dog — a male — is approximately six months old. We’ve learned it was bred at the kennel and sold to someone who gave it back. The kennel is now "re-homing" the dog to the Obamas. The dog was named Charlie, but the Obamas will rename it."

Click here for the full story on TMZ.com.

The dog’s arrival has been highly anticipated ever since Election Night — when Barack Obama promised daughters Sasha and Malia that they would get a puppy. The president recently said that the furry friend would make its way to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue after he returned from the G-20 Summit, which was on Wednesday.

Tell us: What should the Obamas name their dog? Perhaps after Ted Kennedy’s dogs, Sunny and Splash?

87 Reader Comments (so far…) Sign In or Register to comment

EKA -

Hmmm, wonder why it was returned ?

They should name it "Ted" 

By EKA - on 04/10/2009 7:56 pm
DeBúrca obj
I hope it wasn’t returned because it likes to chew furniture!
By DeBúrca obj on 04/10/2009 10:03 pm
Andrea Brandon

I have to wonder if maybe it was one of the dogs that never was sold. So Kennedy came along and wanted to buy it at age 6 months but knew that he couldn’t give it to Obama as a gift because of the rules about gifts. So maybe, just maybe, they sent the dog home with the trainer for a short while so that they could now claim the dog wasn’t new, but was "rehomed." Would be interesting to get the details on the first six months in the life of Bo before going to DC.

I still say that the obamas should go to the shelter and adopt an animal so that Bo has a playmate [and because it saves an animal].

By Andrea Brandon on 04/12/2009 2:08 pm
C jay

One has to wonder, why such an exclusive breed, faught with serious liver problems? That is not fair to children at all, nor sensible at the cost of those highly bred breeds. When a child loses a pet, it is harder on them than adults realize. And, there are many breed that, when kept outdoors, do not bother children with allergies. A little non-allergiec indoor poet would have bridged the gap, and an outdoor pound dog done well for the kiddos and staff.

I don’t think Senator Kennedy’s friends and family should have pushed the deck on the "gift that is no gift," either. I realize the years have been "good" to him (in comparision to his early antics) but this won’t help. 

 

By C jay on 04/12/2009 4:28 pm
Mel Berg
Well finally! I am glad that the girls are getting their long awaited dog. It is to bad it isn’t coming from a shelter though but glad just the same that it will have a good home.
By Mel Berg on 04/10/2009 7:59 pm
rocky rocky
I find the fact that it has the "same lineage as the Kennedy dogs" somehow touching and appropriate. I hope all grow to love and depend on each other …
By rocky rocky on 04/10/2009 8:38 pm
nan rae

Dog people, cat people, bird people…there’s really an unwritten code or way to identify people.  Having a dog, I immediately classify others with same as being mighty fine people…especially if they have a ‘rescued’ dog.  Somehow, you immediately bond and frankly feel superior to those who ‘buy’ their pets.  To be honest, I ‘bought’ a Scottie and then a Saint Bernard but never felt such connection with the creative force (God, who delights in these furry creatures) as I do with Yuki, our  rescued Japanese Akita.

The precious Obama girls will learn so much from their new furry friend…unconditional love, caring for a friend (in animal form) and hopefully many, many years from now…saying goodby.

By nan rae on 04/10/2009 8:42 pm
Nancy Cleveland
While I wish (as I know you do) every puppy (or cat) is loved and cherished throughout their lives I have to agree with you re the bonding of ‘rescues’.  And to be perfectly honest, though we say we rescue our pets (my partner and I share our home with sixteen rescues..five dogs, five cats, six birds) I often wonder if it isn’t them who rescue us…from ego, selfishness and materialism.   
By Nancy Cleveland on 04/10/2009 8:52 pm
C jay
Nancy, in a group about companion dogs, one expert told us that when we look for one, let the dog choose us - they’ll know our limitation, and will "step up" to the mission as they are most able. Great advice, across the "board" so to speak.
By C jay on 04/12/2009 4:30 pm
nan rae
Nancy, you and your partner are AMAZING!  It’s probably 16 and counting where you are.  (I don’t dare walk into our local shelter as I know I’d want to bring every precious creature home.)
By nan rae on 04/13/2009 11:31 am
Andrea Brandon
They WILL let Bo sleep in the house with the girls, right?
By Andrea Brandon on 04/12/2009 8:46 pm
DeBúrca obj
I think they should name him Rushy.
By DeBúrca obj on 04/10/2009 10:02 pm
S.J. Morgan

I like Charlie..why confuse the guy!  I hope it went through obedience training while back at the kennel. 

I also wonder why he was brought back to the kennel…..although not surprised as it happen often when those little cute puppies begin chewing, nipping and breaking furniture (lol).  Those are the adolecent times in a dogs life and they are often uncontroable without proper training.

What to expect from a 6 month old puppy…

"At about 5 to 6 months, if you have more than one pup, you may find that play becomes more aggressive and exhibits some nipping, growling, and other general displays of dominance. Many males, and some females, will begin humping each other at this stage as they rehearse for their adult roles. Such behavior is acceptable as long as it is not directed towards you."……. more 

http://www.petplace.com/dogs/what-to-expect-from-your-6-month-old-puppy/page1.aspx

My Lab did not settle down for almost a year and a half….. Not familiar with this breed though!

By S.J. Morgan on 04/10/2009 11:49 pm
Lila Kuh

Maybe they can get Cesar Milan to pay a visit!

As for renaming - friends of mine who have rescued several dogs say that renaming can be helpful, especially in cases of abuse, because the dog associates his old name with his old owner saying it.  He soon learns that this is the name his new owner uses to get his attention, and it is baggage-free.  It works out fine in non-abuse cases too.

By Lila Kuh on 04/11/2009 9:52 am
Marjorie C.

S.J.  Not familiar with this breed though!

They’re high actitivity dogs who love water.  They need a job and a purpose.  Someone at the WH will have to be assigned to the dog to make sure it’s kept happy.     

By Marjorie C. on 04/13/2009 6:23 am