First Family gets second dog
WASHINGTON— Watch out, Bo — there’s a new dog in town.
The White House says the Obamas have added a second dog to the first family. Her name is Sunny, and she’s a Portuguese water dog — the same breed as the Obamas’ other dog, Bo.
The White House says that breed works well for the Obamas because of family allergies.
Sunny was born last June in Michigan and arrived at the White House on Monday.
She’s expected to join Bo for evening walks and the occasional Oval Office huddle with the president.
The White House says the Obamas will donate to the Washington Humane Society in Sunny’s honour.
The Obamas adopted their first White House dog in April 2009, fulfilling a campaign promise to daughters Sasha and Malia.
Bo came to the family by way of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy and his wife, Vicki, who own three of the breed.
Michelle Obama revealed in a 2009 interview that she took Bo for training classes in Washington’s Georgetown neighbourhood.
Bo and Sunny are just two in a long line of pets to call the White House home.
President Franklin D. Roosevelt’s Scottish terrier Fala was frequently by his side, and Gerald Ford’s golden retriever Liberty gave birth to eight puppies in the White House.
George H.W. Bush’s springer spaniel Millie was the only White House pet to write a book (as “dictated” to First Lady Barbara Bush). The Clintons famously hosted Socks, a black and white cat, and Buddy, a black lab.
George W. Bush had two Scottish terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley. When Barney died earlier this year, Bush unveiled an oil painting he’d done of the dog.