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Does your dog look like Bo?
Ours don’t. We have three Dachshunds and a Greyhound, none of whom even closely resembles the First Puppy. But Animal Planet has been asking readers of its Web site to send in photos of their dogs if they look like Bo.
We checked it out, and frankly, this fella is stretching it a bit.
Well, it was bound to happen...Katie Couric called Annie Leibovitz to ask why Bo was excluded from the official family photo.
“I was critiqued,” Leibovitz laughed, noting that people have said, “Where’s Bo?” Adding, “They’re taking another photograph that does have Bo in it.”
When Couric suggested that perhaps Leibovitz could Photoshop the First Dog into the existing photo, she responded, “Uh, no, not so fast! You’re not allowed to do that with White House photos.”
Guess my amateurish attempt to put Bo in his rightful place will just have to suffice until the next portrait is unveiled! Hope the White House portrait-police don't come knocking on my door...
Bo's dog house cake made of veal seems to have raised the "hackles" of some bloggers. The reasoning being that times are tough and the First Lady's mention of the veal birthday delight on Jay Leno the other night was seen by some as a shameless flaunt of the Obama's economic status.
Times are definitely tough, but I just can't see how Bo's birthday cake is going to deter employers from hiring; dissuade the unemployed from sticking to their job searches; cause the stock market to plummet; or otherwise negatively impact our nation. It was a onetime event. It was a special occasion. And, I bet it tasted great!
Just one opinion...what's yours?
We’re still trying to figure out how Bo could have missed the cut in the First Family’s official portrait, especially when it’s clear he’s very much considered a member of the Obama clan. Consider these two recent quotes by President Obama:
At a fundraising dinner in New York, the president, speaking about his daughters, told an audience: “They are doing great. Michelle is obviously an extraordinary First Lady. And we've got Bo, my dog -- who I now rank fourth in influence in the house behind Michelle, Malia and Sasha. I'm slightly ahead of Bo, but he's coming on fast.”
Then, in an interview with Savannah Guthrie of NBC, Obama talked about living in a house filled with women – his wife, daughters and mother-in law.
“I'm surrounded,” he said. “It's me and Bo.”
Sounds like Bo is a pretty important guy in the White House.
Notice anything missing from the First Family's portrait? Famed photographer Annie Liebovitz captured the moment but without the family dog!
style="TEXT-ALIGN: left">As camera crazed as we Americans are with our furry family members, some Bo "watchers" were surprised to see the family portrait sans the newest member.
The First Lady's spokeswoman said simply that, "Bo didn't make the cut."
Sorry Bo! Perhaps sporting collars in colors that complement the President's ties will get you an invitation to the next sitting.
Dale Haney has two of the most important jobs at the White House.
He’s the presidential horticulturist and grounds superintendent, but he also looks after First Dog Bo when the Obama family isn’t around.
Haney, who has worked for eight presidents, told NBC’s “Today” show this week that bees in the White House gardens are turning out honey – about 100 gallons so far. Haney said he can’t recall a time when there was another honey harvesting there.
Asked if Bo has wandered into the gardens yet, Haney (seen above on a stroll with Bo) said no.
“He hasn't been in the gardens much yet,” he said. “I don't know if he just hasn't discovered them.”
We saw a story on the USA Today Web site about a dog that paints. Not only that, his work is displayed in New York galleries and sells for up to $1,700 per painting.
Sam the painting hound is a “fully trained artist,” says his owner, Mary Stadelbacher. “Sam is a regular renaissance dog, and his abstract paintings are all the rage with the hip New York galleries,” she says.
So here’s our idea: Bo the artist. Put a blank canvas in front of the First Puppy, stick a brush in his mouth and let him create something awesome. Then sell his work and donate the proceeds to a local animal shelter or rescue group.
It would be a great way to encourage pet adoption. What do you say, Mr. President?
Bo is certainly the talk of the town in Washington D.C. this week! Rumor has it that he needed to relieve himself mid-flight and couldn’t wait for touchdown! While the White House says “No” to the scoop on the poop, many insiders say absolutely, “Yes!”
Wonder if Bo is the first, First Dog to answer nature's call on Air Force One? We may never know since Air Force policy is to never discuss the activities of their passengers (human or otherwise).
Here comes another wave of Bo books.
When the First Dog arrived earlier this year, there were at least three new titles that coincided with his White House debut. Now there’s another: “Bo, Commander in Leash: Secretary of State,” released on Bo’s first birthday last Friday. It’s a sequel to “Bo, America’s Commander in Leash,” published by Mascot Books.
In this one, Bo travels on Air Force One to the seven continents, spreading canine goodwill, experiencing new cultures and meeting new people.
Interested? We found it on Amazon.com for $12.95.
The publisher says more are coming, so clear some space on your bookshelf.
Mary Ringwalt, who teaches writing classes at the University of Wisconsin-Parkside in Kenosha and Gateway Technical College in Racine, Wisonsin put her writing skills to work in a fun tribute to the First Puppy. She received a letter from the White House with a photo of Bo!
Yo, Bo, it's your bro Moe.
I hear you're gonna be part of the White House show.
I'm a Portie too, you know,
And, like you, I have a tuxedo.
My advice to you is to start out slow
And stop what you're doing if you hear a loud "No!"
Don't nip those cute girls' heels or toes,
And don't cause the housekeeper too many woes.
The owners love it if you cock your head just so,
And look up at them with your puppy eyes from way down low.
So, look, here's the deal - I don't have much dough,
But I'd sure like to meet you and sniff where you go.
Any chance Air Force One could zip you to Wisconsin (there's no snow)?
Or I could come your way, I'd go with the flow.
If you invite Ted's dogs too, our party could grow, So I'll be waiting
to hear from you, you let me know.
*Ted refers to the late Sen. Edward Kennedy, who gave Bo to the Obamas as a gift
