The President's dog

A year ago Barrack Obama was inaugurated as the 44th President of the United States.  There is a tradition, stretching way back to George Washington in 1789, that the occupant of the Oval Office should have a dog. (George Washington had ten!)  During his campaign for office, President Obama promised his two daughters Natasha (Sasha) and Malia that when they moved to the White House they would have a puppy.  Malia suffers from allergies and the final choice for a hypoallergenic dog was between a labradoodle and the Portuguese Water dog. Their new charge came in the form of a six month old, black and white Portuguese Water dog.  A present from Senator Edward Kennedy.  They decided to call him Bo after their maternal grandfather who was nicknamed Diddley.  (Bo Diddley was an American rock and roll singer.) 

However, the Obamas have been advised that Bo is not an ideal name for a dog.  The dog can easily confuse his name with the command “NO!”  It has been suggested that during training when they want him to desist from doing something that they employ an alternative, such as “STOP!”  Bo is a working dog, highly intelligent and therefore liable to be very lively. He will need a lot of exercise and energy consuming activities.  His coat will also need to be trimmed and groomed regularly.  Not a low maintenance dog!  President Obama has promised to do his share in looking after Bo.  When Bo was first introduced to the Press, one of the journalists asked “Is the President going to walk the dog?” Instantly came the reply from Barrack Obama, “We all have to take turns in walking the dog!”