Here he is, ladies and gentlemen. The new First Dog- Bo. A Portugese water dog. Bred for herding fish, working long hours out in the field, about to come into a tightly regulated fishbowl and become the unwitting symbol of rescue dogs everywhere.
Backyard Portugese water dog breeders everywhere are rubbing their hands with glee. Shelters and Portugese water spaniel employees are rubbing their temples resignedly in anticipation of the unusual breed now catapaulted into the spotlight, courtesy of one allergic First Daughter, sure to experience a huge boom before flooding the shelters and rescues in question when reality sets in.
Cesar Milan has already weighed in, of course, saying very diplomatically that “Portuguese water dogs are an active breed and will need long walks and will need to understand quickly who is the ‘pack leader.’ ” Translation: You need to run them silly and train the heck out of them. Hope the Secret Service is up for some loooooong walks.
I have a Portugese water dog, Beulah, as a client. Her owners are big time Obama supporters. Even they think he is mildly nuts for choosing this dog.
Fare thee well, Bo. And Barack, may I suggest a Gentle Leader? Looks like your hands are full already.