Barack Obama, Family Mourn Death of Beloved Dog: "Lost a True Friend"
- The family dog, Bo, died of cancer aged 12 years
- Michelle said the dog had been a great family companion since 2008, when it joined the family
- The family sad it will always remember Bo for being a great comforter when spirits were low
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The family of former US president Barack Obama is in mourning following the death of their pet dog named 'Bo'.
Source: Facebook
News of Bo's demise was first shared by Obama who took to Facebook to mourn him as a loyal companion.
The family said the pet had been in their presence for more than a decade and had comfortably won a place in the family.
"Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion. For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives—happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and every day in between," said Barack Obama.
While mourning Bo, Obama recounted his family's ace experiences with the dog, crediting the late Bo for being a worthy company during his days at the White House.
"He tolerated all the fuss that came with being in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, loved to jump in the pool in the summer, was unflappable with children, lived for scraps around the dinner table, and had great hair. He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever expected. We will miss him dearly," the former president stated.
On her part, Michelle Obama also shared another beautiful tribute to the "family's best friend".
She recalled how Bo had been a great ice breaker for the family, always coming through when everyone's spirits were running low.
"For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, comforting presence in our lives. He was there when the girls came home from school, greeting them with a wag. He was there when Barack and I needed a break, sauntering into one of our offices like he owned the place, a ball clamped firmly in his teeth.
He was there when we flew on Air Force One, when tens of thousands flocked to the South Lawn for the Easter Egg Roll, and when the Pope came to visit. And when our lives slowed down, he was there, too—helping us see the girls off to college and adjust to life as empty-nesters," said Michelle.
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Michelle disclosed the dog, which joined the family in 2008, had succumbed to cancer.
According to Michelle, Bo was acquired to keep the couple's daughters, Malia and Sasha Obama, company as the presidential campaign trail was getting intense.
"On the campaign trail in 2008, we promised our daughters that we would get a puppy after the election. At the time, Bo was supposed to be a companion for the girls. We had no idea how much he would mean to all of us," she said.
Bo had been cohabiting with Sunny, another female pooch that joined the family in 2013.
Both Bo and Sunny had been featured in most Obama family photos taken over the years proving they were highly cherished.
The Obamas have vowed to celebrate Bo as they recall the life and humour he brought.
"As a family, we will miss Bo dearly. But we are thankful that he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch," stated Michelle.
This comes just a month after the family mourned their grandmother, Mama Sarah Obama, who died at the Jaramogi Oginga Odinga Teaching and Referral Hospital (JOOTRH) while undergoing treatment.
In his eulogy, Obama was full of praise for the late Mama Sarah over the fact that despite not having formal schooling and getting married while still a teen, she was able to raise a great family in the tiny village of Alego.
"She raised eight children, tended to her goats and chickens, grew an assortment of crops, and took what the family didn’t use to sell at the local open-air market," wrote Obama.
Mama Sarah was interred at her Kogelo home, on March 29.
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Source: Briefly News
Maryn Blignaut (Human-Interest HOD) Maryn Blignaut is the Human Interest manager and feature writer. She holds a BA degree in Communication Science, which she obtained from the University of South Africa in 2016. She joined the Briefly - South African News team shortly after graduating and has over six years of experience in the journalism field. Maryn passed the AFP Digital Investigation Techniques course (Google News Initiative), as well as a set of trainings for journalists by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at: maryn.blignaut@briefly.co.za
Kelly Lippke (Senior Editor) Kelly Lippke is a copy editor/proofreader who started her career at the Northern-Natal Courier with a BA in Communication Science/Psychology (Unisa, 2007). Kelly has worked for several Caxton publications, including the Highway Mail and Northglen News. Kelly’s unique editing perspective stems from an additional major in Linguistics. Kelly joined Briefly News in 2018 and she has 14 years of experience. Kelly has also passed a set of trainings by Google News Initiative. You can reach her at kelly.lippke@briefly.co.za.
