Bo's grandfather Higgins

Here’s a look at Bo’s grandfather, Higgins. He’s a former show dog that now spends his time hanging around the house and taking long walks with his owners, Gary and Susan Estabrook, who recently moved from the Dallas area to Pensacola, Fla.

HIggins and Bo apparently share one common trait, according to Susan Estabrook: Despite being Portuguese Water Dogs, neither likes to swim much.

Susan’s mother, who passed away recently, was the breeder of Higgins, Bo and Bo’s mother, Penny.

We can see where Bo gets his good looks.

Bo appears on Letterman, sort of

If you didn’t see “Late Show” with Dave Letterman a few days ago, you missed an appearance by Bo. OK, the first dog wasn’t there live, but he did get a little airtime during President Obama’s stint on the show.

The president showed some photos of his first months in office, including this image of Bo and him playing a little football on the White House lawn. Must be tough to play ball wearing a tie.

 

 

First Lady, Bo and the White House garden

On her frequent public appearances, First Lady Michelle Obama knows there are two topics that draw the most queries. And one of them is Bo.

At the opening of a Washington D.C. farmers market last week, she conceded that putting together a healthy meal for her two daughters is tougher than it looks – and before the Obama family got to the White House, they often had take-out.

She also told the assembled crowd: “When I travel around the world, no matter where I've gone so far, the first thing world leaders, prime ministers, kings, queens ask me about is the White House garden. And then they ask about Bo. Everybody -- it's the garden and Bo, or Bo and the garden. One or the other.”

Everybody, it seems, loves Bo.

Malia, Sasha and Bo wait for dad

There’s nothing quite like coming home and being greeted by your family and your dog.

President Obama arrived at the White House this week after a visit to Ohio and Pennsylvania, and daughters Malia and Sasha were there with Bo to welcome their dad. Check out the photo of Bo on his back playing with the girls as they waited on the South Lawn.

When the president gets off his helicopter, his daughters greet him with hugs – and Bo is right there.

 

Most admired pet? It's Bo, of course

The world’s most admired pet? It’s gotta be Bo, right?

Now you can cast your ballot. The first dog is competing against the likes of Queen Elizabeth’s Corgis and Paris Hilton’s Chihuahua, Tinkerbell, but really – is there any question? We didn’t think so.

Want to register your vote? Check out the Boomerang Pet Personality Awards.

 

Bo says: Sack Vick, feed a dog

We don’t know if Bo is a football fan, but we do know that President Obama is a sports nut. So it stands to reason that White House TVs will be turned on to Washington Redskins games this season.

If so, the president and first dog will certainly be cheering (and barking) when the ‘Skins play the Philadelphia Eagles on Oct. 26 at Washington’s FedEx Field.

That’s because Michael Vick – who spent 18 months in prison for his role in a dogfighting ring and later admitted to killing dogs – figures to play for the Eagles in the game. Every time he’s tackled (or sacked) by the ‘Skins, Main Line Animal Rescue, located northwest of Philadelphia, has pledge to donate five backs of dog food to a D.C. animal shelter.

Bo should get behind that program – and so should the president.

A Bo dog you can cuddle

Thanks to Bo, you can’t deny the popularity of the Portuguese Water Dog, including the plush toy version.

Here’s the newest stuffed animal version of America’s first dog, released a few days ago by Build-A-Bear Workshop: the All-American Portuguese Water Dog, which bears a striking resemblance to Bo and can be purchased with a star spangled leash and collar, a Dog Constitution proclaiming “We the Dog” and a flag bandana.

The toy is the latest addition to the company’s Bearemy’s Kennel Pals collection and can be purchased online ($22, with accessories extra). $1 from each purchase will go to the Build-A-Bear Workshop Bear Hugs Foundation to support domestic pets such as animal shelters, stray pet rescues and educational programs.

That makes it a worthy purchase for a worthy cause. We think the real Bo would approve.

Pet food requested

Fellow Americans:

According to the L.A. Times, donation requests include pet food for victims of the Southern California wildfires. Lend a hand if you can -- we're pretty sure Bo would want you to.