Obama Puppy Makes Debut at The White House

Avid dog lovers all around the world have been sitting on pins and needles awaiting this exciting news. As far as I am concerned, all I can say is, "Yes they did"!

With Sunday's joyful news arriving with an announcement made by a spokesperson for First Lady Michelle Obama, the anticipation and wondering about what breed of dog the First Family will pick, is finally over.

Photo Credit: White House photo by Pete Souza On Tuesday, April 14, a six month old Portuguese water dog puppy, named Bo, will take his rightful place as the newest member in the Obama household.

While rumors abounded for months, make no bones about it . . . this adorable little pooch was given as a present to the Obamas from Senator Ted Kennedy (D- Mass) and is a litter mate to one of his own dogs.

The Obama daughters, Sasha, 7 and Malia, 10, named the dog for Bo, a cousin's cat and in honor of Michelle's late father, Fraser Robinson, whose nickname was Diddley. The Obamas plan to make a donation to a Humane Society since their plans to adopt a shelter dog changed when Senator Kennedy learned that his dog's litter brother needed a home.

Keeping his campaign promise to his daughters, made on the night he was elected, President Elect Obama said, "I love you both more than you can imagine. And you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." Of course, understanding how a puppy adjustment period can be stressful, they took their time to first become settled in themselves before adding the new pet to their household. Since Malia is allergic to dogs every effort was made to adopt a puppy that was as close to "hypoallergenic" as possible.

While no pet is completely free of dander which is the culprit that causes allergies, according to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America the dogs "do not shed very much but they do shed". Due to their single-coat, they have a "decreased tendency to cause allergies."

Watch the video uploaded to YouTube by the Associated Press to find out more details about this happy event.

You may send congratulatory messages to the First Family to wish them all the best with their fabulous new canine companion by leaving a comment!