First Lady: Bo Is “Most Famous Member” of the Obama Family
EmailABC News’ Karen Travers reports: First lady Michelle Obama said today that her daughters are thriving in Washington and her days start with a predawn walk with the “most famous member” of the Obama family, new puppy, Bo. The first lady also encouraged community service in her remarks at the Congressional Club Luncheon, a gathering of 2000 people including Congressional and Senatorial Spouses, Spouses of Supreme Court Justices and Cabinet Secretaries and their friends and family. The newest addition to the Obama family, the “most famous member,” according to the first lady, is also adjusting to his new home. “Bo Obama is also doing well,” she said to laughter. “I have to say, he is the best puppy in the whole wide world. I love him to death. He is so sweet. But he’s still a puppy.” But guess who is waking up for the early dog walking shift? “Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I’m still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out,” Mrs. Obama said. “So for everyone who has a child asking for a puppy, you have to want the dog. As I do. I love my Bo.” Mrs. Obama said her daughters, Malia and Sasha, are “happy and healthy” and have settled into life in Washington. “They’re making friends. They’re getting good grades,” she said. “I feel like I’ve never left Chicago.” The first lady said there is a lot of soccer on Saturdays – “yes, I’m on a soccer field all day, just like many of you” - and slumber parties at the White House. Mrs. Obama said her mother, Marian, who lives at the White House, handles a lot of the shuttling duties, taking the girls to play dates, but she is also developing her own schedule and life in Washington. “She has a very full social life, so much so that sometimes we have to plan our schedule around her schedule,” the first lady joked. First Lady Touts Service The first lady ran through a list of her signature issues: military families, work-life balance and healthy eating. She said that the family had their first salad made from vegetables from the new White House garden. Mrs. Obama spoke at length about the need for service, calling it one of her “greatest passions,” and how important it is in this time of “unprecedented challenges.” “These are — there are few times in our nation’s history when the phrase ‘We’re all in it together’ really means something. And now is one of those times. We’re all in this together,” she said. Mrs. Obama cited examples of service from around the country including a garden at Colorado State University that will produce vegetables for a local food bank and an effort on May 9 by the U.S. Postal Service called, “Stamp Out Hunger.” The first lady said that the postal service is asking Americans to leave perishable food donations next to mailboxes and the carriers will pick them up when they deliver mail. “These stories prove that participating in national and community service is not just an escape for the wealthy or for kids who can afford to serve; it’s an integral part of empowering everyone to make our communities stronger,” the first lady said. The first lady announced that she is planning a service project to coincide with the annual congressional picnic at the White House, to be held on June 25. “Put it on your calendar, bring your kids. We’ll work a little, we’ll have a little barbeque, we’ll get a lot of stuff done,” she said. The service project would be a follow up to her event yesterday at the Capital Area Food Bank where she joined congressional spouses and packed 2,400 weekend food bags that will go to 1,000 D.C. area students who participate in the “Food for Kids” program. "We can bring our husbands and our wives, our children and our grandchildren together as we did yesterday and rally around a common cause…This would be a powerful message that we could send to people around the country; that they saw all of our families come together here in D.C,” she said of the June service event. “Whether it’s a food bank or a homeless shelter, there’s so much need out there. The projects are endless. Just imagine what message that would send if we came together."
– Karen Travers
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“Even though the kids are supposed to do a lot of the work, I’m still up at 5:15 a.m. taking my dog out,” Mrs. Obama said. “So for everyone who has a child asking for a puppy, you have to want the dog.”
True DAT, Mrs. Obama!
Posted by: MichieMich | April 30, 2009, 5:59 pm 5:59 pm
Swine flu? What Swine Flu? Plane over NYC? What plane over NYC? Multi-Trillion dollar debt? What dept? Nationalization of the Auto Industry? What Auto Industry… Oooh, see the puppy! What a cute puppy!
Posted by: ADDAmerica | April 30, 2009, 6:03 pm 6:03 pm
ADDAmerica, She is the First Lady, not the President. She is as responsible for the big problems as you are, and I don’t recall voting for either of you. In spite of that, she has been doing many positive things; what about you? I’m only hearing sarcasm from you.
Posted by: Dan | April 30, 2009, 6:14 pm 6:14 pm
I am happy the Obama girls have a lovely puppy. I can sympathize with Michelle Obama. The mom always gets to care for the dog.
Posted by: mvale | April 30, 2009, 6:50 pm 6:50 pm
I wouldn’t worry to much about the negative comments. 3 1/2+ years to go…4 more after that. Life is good. Unless you’re Republican. :-)
Posted by: Gatx | April 30, 2009, 6:53 pm 6:53 pm
The public relations army that is our pathetically sycophantic mainstream media, operating steadfastly and unyieldingly on behalf of the Obamas, slobbers onward rejoicing!
Posted by: Thank God for Karma | April 30, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
“3 1/2+ years to go…4 more after that. Life is good. Unless you’re Republican. :-)”
This is the mentality that has our country so divided. I am disgusted by Republicans and Democrats who espouse this sort of garbage.
This is one country, not a gang battlefeld where one “side” is up and does their best to keep the other “side” down while making life miserable for everyone else in the process.
Grow up.
Posted by: paul | April 30, 2009, 7:29 pm 7:29 pm
Correction: I’m sure you meant to say NON-perishable items for the food drive above.
Posted by: Terry | April 30, 2009, 7:30 pm 7:30 pm
Instead of flying AF1 over NYC & scaring the crap out of people, they could have donated the cost $300,000+ to the food banks! Thats alot of Lettuce!
The Obamas sure love a photo op dont they? after 100days I’ve had enough already!
Posted by: Canadian4Hillary | April 30, 2009, 7:46 pm 7:46 pm
What a really neat lady and what a really great family. This is the fulfillment of my 60s adolescence married to my anti-establishment hippie values which celebrate every individual’s worth.
Posted by: J Johnson | April 30, 2009, 8:20 pm 8:20 pm
More hard hitting news brought to you by ABC News….your trusted news source
(for foo foo)
Posted by: J House | April 30, 2009, 8:29 pm 8:29 pm
Dan, we are all doing our part. This month I donated food and money to a regional food bank in my area. I gave 3 bags of clothes to a shelter. I helped set up a non-profit art center and volunteered 20 hours at the gallery. I sent money and attended an event to raise money for the Alzheimer’s Association. I stuffed a $20 in the Miracle Network jar that the Wal-Mart greeter was tirelessly shaking. He hugged me. I helped pick up trash in a nature preserve by my house. I took a group of college students out for dinner and picked up the check. I attended a community theater production. I patronized local, small businesses even though their prices were higher. I shopped at a local farm which uses 4 seasons greenhouses for produce. I also have a new puppy and 3 year old dog that I personally walk, feed and train. What have you done this month?
Posted by: ADDAmerica | April 30, 2009, 8:44 pm 8:44 pm
There is no such thing as a “family” pet. We had three dogs. I was mom, and I fed them, cleaned up after them, brushed them, gave them their meds, took them to the vet… and husband and son enjoyed them. The only rule we had that let me off the hook at all was “you find it, you clean it.” Of course, the guys were great at simply never seeing it in the first place…
Posted by: Sheila | April 30, 2009, 8:55 pm 8:55 pm
It is pathetic!
Posted by: anonymous | April 30, 2009, 9:09 pm 9:09 pm
JHouse, if you don’t care for the way ABC is handling the news, you can,of course, ignore this site and got to others. I read several U.S. and several foreign news sites each day, and often comment on three or more of them. What I DON’T do is bother to comment on a story that I find uninteresting. Perhaps you need to confine your superior intellect to sites that you believe will benefit from it.
Posted by: Eleonora27 | April 30, 2009, 9:12 pm 9:12 pm
So much for getting the dog for the kids. Michelle told the public that her daughters would be responsible for those duties…I wonder what happened to that promise.
Posted by: dan | April 30, 2009, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
I am so impressed by Mrs. Obama. What a true lady she is! And I love her inspirational messages about service to others. This is a trying time for so many, but there is always something you can do to help someone else – even if it’s just a kind word of encouragement. That doesn’t cost a cent. And if you have a little to spare, share it; there are enormously good feelings that come with helping others.
Posted by: Tubby88389 | April 30, 2009, 9:13 pm 9:13 pm
“Instead of flying AF1 over NYC & scaring the crap out of people, they could have donated the cost $300,000+ to the food banks!”
I guess you’re a little late to the party. The plane was going to be logging flight hours anyway. That cost was going to be incurred whether photos were taken or not.
Posted by: Silky | April 30, 2009, 9:31 pm 9:31 pm
“So much for getting the dog for the kids. Michelle told the public that her daughters would be responsible for those duties…I wonder what happened to that promise.”
The same thing that happens in most families when young kids say they’re going to walk the dog in the morning. Mom and/or Dad end up doing it. I guess you don’t have much experience with families with pets.
Posted by: Silky | April 30, 2009, 9:35 pm 9:35 pm
Do you ever notice that “Distraction Dog” comes out at the most opportune time? Usually you see Bo when BO is over his head.
Posted by: jim | April 30, 2009, 9:51 pm 9:51 pm
I see the kids are done with the dog just like they are done with the swingset. They seem like some the spoiled kids who live down the road.
Posted by: Betsy | April 30, 2009, 9:52 pm 9:52 pm
If this had been the Bushes, the article would have featured six kennels with strays near death and relentlessly hammered how the president had promised to get a mutt but then opted for a pedigreed dog.
In eight years as president, I bet George Bush received 1/10th of the kind of puff pieces, such as this, that relentlessly indulge the image of president Obama and his family as perfect people, worthy only of constant, unrelenting adoration. And, that’s only after three months in office!
It really is too much.
Posted by: Thank God for Karma | April 30, 2009, 10:11 pm 10:11 pm
I have read that she walks the dog in the morning, the girls walk him in the afternoon (after school) and the President walks him in the evenings, so I would not say that the girls are not involved. She also said that she feeds Bo in the morning, but the girls have to do it in the evening.
Posted by: Kathy | April 30, 2009, 10:14 pm 10:14 pm
The Postal Service Stamp Out Hunger is not one of her projects, and although she didn’t really lay claim to it I don’t think it fits in “her” service lip service.
Posted by: CG | April 30, 2009, 10:23 pm 10:23 pm
And the best looking and smartest too.
Posted by: Sluggo | April 30, 2009, 10:30 pm 10:30 pm
“The same thing that happens in most families when young kids say they’re going to walk the dog in the morning. Mom and/or Dad end up doing it. I guess you don’t have much experience with families with pets.”
Neither does Michelle. I don’t trust anyone who is pushing 50 and who has never had a pet…until the public pressures them to finally get one for show.
Posted by: fish | April 30, 2009, 10:56 pm 10:56 pm
Love this wonderful woman…love our President. I particularly love it that they are raising their daughters to believe in service to their brothers and sisters. I wish more parents would instill this in their children, and these types of articles always inspire me to do more for my fellow man. We are all here together…why not help carry another’s load?
Posted by: dlh | April 30, 2009, 11:14 pm 11:14 pm
I do have to say, though – I get awfully tired of the Obama bashers posting about topics totally unrelated to the articles written. I felt exactly the same way when liberal posters did that to articles about George Bush when he was in office. Stay on topic. When you wax eloquently or complain about other things on these posts, you sound like a bitter Republican sore loser.
Posted by: dlh | April 30, 2009, 11:16 pm 11:16 pm
Thousands of Dogs in pounds around this country going to their Deaths by gas.
If you loved animals that much.. you would have gotten the daughters one of those and really taught them about caring.
But, I guess they were too good for one of “those” dogs?
Posted by: ajax | April 30, 2009, 11:32 pm 11:32 pm
Thank God for Karma SAID “In eight years as president, I bet George Bush received 1/10th of the kind of puff pieces, such as this,… “——————————————————
I get so tired of the “poor Bush was never supported by the press” thinking. He was supported. How did he get re-elected if, like you and others claim, everyone was out to get him. Bush, Cheney and their policies are what did him in. It had nothing to do with the press. It had to do with incompetence.
Posted by: Olivia | April 30, 2009, 11:52 pm 11:52 pm
Oh, and Barney had his own web page too.
Posted by: Olivia | April 30, 2009, 11:53 pm 11:53 pm
Picking up after the dog, how presidential ! As last a job he’s qualified for.
Posted by: realitycheck99 | May 1, 2009, 12:03 am 12:03 am
The headline should read “First Family Dogs Walk Each Other Every Morning”! Actually it would be more appropriate to put the leash and collar around MO’s neck, since “BO”, which I’m quite sure is just another way of massaging
(B)arack (O)bamas enormous, unwarranted ego, is the better looking dog. I feel sorry for the girls. They’ve had to put up with these two hot-air balloon heads all their lives!
Posted by: Machod | May 1, 2009, 2:05 am 2:05 am
How the hell is this news? ABC…the 21st Century version of Hort! Hort!
Posted by: SChaos1701 | May 1, 2009, 3:00 am 3:00 am
We LOVE you, Michelle – our FLOTUS flower.
Posted by: American Woman | May 1, 2009, 5:55 am 5:55 am
What a great story. Thanks you for reporting cheerful news for a change. Michelle Obama is a wonderful First Lady, mother and wife. The country is blessed to have her and I am happy Bo has a good home.
Posted by: V. Brame | May 1, 2009, 6:36 am 6:36 am
I get so sick of hearing all of the negative. Isn’t it nice to read a “good” story for a change? Also, I like Michelle. I like both of them, as a matter of fact. I do not support either party – just the good of our country and REAL people in the White House just seems like a good idea to me. Obama’s stay in touch with the real world and love that puppy. They make awfully good friends when the world is getting you down.
Posted by: SHERYL RYAN | May 1, 2009, 6:55 am 6:55 am
Mrs.Obama is a breath of fresh air.
She’s smart,grounded and compassionate,with a type of sophistication that is rare in today’s world.I’m not only disappointed,but disgusted at some of the “hate monger”comment’s I’ve read,relating to this story.The individual’s who made those comment’s would be better served if they would mirror Mrs.Obama’s action’s,and actually help thier fellow man.It takes less energy to love,than it does to hate.
Posted by: Johnathan Schoening | May 1, 2009, 6:57 am 6:57 am
Typical kids ,no different then any other they want dog to play with and not the duties that go along with it.
Posted by: NHvoter | May 1, 2009, 7:16 am 7:16 am
I believe they bring the sweetness of the American family. Two parents, grandparent and well grounded children.
Posted by: Phanto | May 1, 2009, 8:19 am 8:19 am
I think this is a great story that gives the public a little peek into the lives of our presidential family; it shows that they are still your average American family. A story like this serves to cleanse the mental palate after reading article after article of all of the serious matters that we face every day. If you don’t like this “fluff,” then I suggest you not read it. And for those who are bringing things like swine flu and the Air Force One photo op fiasco into the mix, shame on you for bringing up your irrelevant and not-so-witty remarks. Frankly, it’s annoying, and I see it as nothing more than the typical behavior of an idiotic troll. Save your political comments for the topics that actually DISCUSS them.
“So much for getting the dog for the kids. Michelle told the public that her daughters would be responsible for those duties…I wonder what happened to that promise.” Posted by: dan | Apr 30, 2009 9:13:29 PM
When my family got our first dog, my mother took care of her just like Michelle did. However, I was only three when we first got her. As I got older, I started learning more about responsibilities, and I helped out with the dog as well. You have to remember, the girls are only eight and ten. That was around the time that I started helping with chores. I would help brush the dog or pick up doggie poo. You can’t just give a child a dog and say, “Oh, you have to take care of 100% of the dog’s needs,” just like that. Anyone who tries to teach children responsibility that way will fail. It’s a lot better to have them do little things at first. And BESIDES, Mrs. Obama never said that the girls don’t help out. She only said that she is up early in the morning to walk the dog.
Posted by: K-Chan | May 1, 2009, 8:28 am 8:28 am
5:15am! Yikes! I’d rather the Secret Service walk the dog at that time in the morning. Who wants to get up that early?
Posted by: Bob | May 1, 2009, 8:38 am 8:38 am
As the Mom in our family, I could have told Michelle who would end up with the 5am dog-walking duty! lol.
To all the people who are whining about this story: You read it, didn’t you? You even took time out of your busy day to post a comment. It’s nice to read something light and fluffy between Swine flu stories.
Posted by: Katia | May 1, 2009, 9:49 am 9:49 am
It is great that Mrs Michell Obama, the first descendant of slaves as first lady in WH, likes to do some meaningful physical exercise to stay fit and live an ordinary people’s life, such as gardening and walking dogs. This is a good example for future first ladies. I hope she can order to build a small house near their garden so they could do cooking on the food they planted in the garden.
Posted by: austin | May 1, 2009, 9:59 am 9:59 am
It is nice that the Wife of the New President would walk the dog, I can not imagine the other wife of presidents walking a dog, they would not want to get dirty also and would not want to have a garden. I think it is wonderful that Michelle would walk the dog. If it was me, I would have a secret service man walk the dog, I would not feel safe in the dark with a dog being the wife of the president, there are too many strange people out at that time of the day. The need a dog walker, a nice man to walk the dog.
Posted by: James Staley | May 1, 2009, 10:18 am 10:18 am
The Mom Always takes Care of the Dog Its like having another Kid!
Posted by: Angie in Pa | May 1, 2009, 10:18 am 10:18 am
Yes, every one does know that she is a Mom and alot of Moms do walk the family dog, but she is the first Lady and they do not walk Dogs, that is what People are trying to write and that is why this story made the News. Next we will be reading that she is the family cook, because she is a Mom
Posted by: James Staley | May 1, 2009, 10:36 am 10:36 am
james staley: while I understand your concern for safety, Mrs. Obama is completly safe out there at 5 am walking Bo. There is something like 15 acres of grounds at the white house, the perimeter of which is very closely guarded. Anyone trying to breach the fence would be immediately captured.
Posted by: William J. LePetomane | May 1, 2009, 10:37 am 10:37 am
“The first lady said that the postal service is asking Americans to leave perishable food donations next to mailboxes and the carriers will pick them up when they deliver mail.”
Really? They want raw hamburger, frozen pizza, and lettuce? There will be some seriously stinky mail bags!
Posted by: skeptical | May 1, 2009, 11:10 am 11:10 am
I did not vote for President Obama, but I have to say that the Obamas are a terrific First Family. Politics aside, I do like the First Lady’s style. Malia and Sasha are absolutely adorable, as is “Bo.”
I think that Michelle is a really good mom and politics aside–I wish nothing but good things for the President. I think that at the end of the day we can put politics aside (there is a time and place for that) and realize that despite our differences we have much in common.
Posted by: Tcalger | May 1, 2009, 11:26 am 11:26 am
Soooo over seeing the Obama’s everywhere. Who care what his picks were for the final four. Who cares that she gets up @ 5:15 to walk the dog. Please just run the country. They act like they are celebrities.
Posted by: buzzgirl | May 1, 2009, 11:44 am 11:44 am
That is one place I have not gone to, I just did know about the grounds and the security at the white house. I still think the First Lady should have a dog walker. If, I lived there I would sure offer to do it for her. She just should have some one else walk the Dog. It is my thinking that the past presidents and their family had dog walkers, so the new President should have a dog walker also.
Posted by: James Staley | May 1, 2009, 12:08 pm 12:08 pm
I, too, do an early morning dog walking and it is a wonderful quiet time in the morning for quiet reflection and peace before the world begins waking up. Yea, Michelle!
Posted by: Nancy R | May 1, 2009, 12:17 pm 12:17 pm
I wonder if she is wearing her new:
First Lady Michelle Obama steps out in Lanvin sneakers and they’re only $540!
Posted by: jane | May 1, 2009, 12:41 pm 12:41 pm
who cares who takes bo out for his morning walk? why don’t the obama’s think about the literal killing of the unborn children instead of focusing on a ‘dog’….sad day for the u.s.! ‘he’ will NEVER be my president!
Posted by: janis | May 1, 2009, 12:51 pm 12:51 pm
they certainly are NOT the ‘all american family’!!! quite the opposite! full of liberal ideas that will destroy our nation! michelle will NEVER be a ‘first lady’ – very prejudice!!!!
Posted by: elayne | May 1, 2009, 12:56 pm 12:56 pm
In 30 yrs of marriage I’ve found out that it’s everyones’ dog the first 2 weeks and Mom’s dog the rest of it’s life. They sure are getting alot of warm and fuzzy PR out of this dog. Too bad they don’t mind killing babies in the 9th month!
Posted by: Kathy | May 1, 2009, 1:20 pm 1:20 pm
Well there. I do have something in common with Michelle Obama after all. I too get up around5 a.m. every day to walk our family dogs.
Posted by: Arizona Mom | May 1, 2009, 1:32 pm 1:32 pm
I think they are a darling family. Way better than a cold political marriage without real love. I don’t have to agree with all of Obama’s choices to see the love and warmth in their family.
As for the abortion criticism in the other post: Reality check. We don’t agree on everything in this country.
Posted by: Scorpio Redhead | May 1, 2009, 1:36 pm 1:36 pm
Michelle and their Girls are Barrack’s Greatest Assets. God Bless families everywhere.
Posted by: John | May 1, 2009, 1:48 pm 1:48 pm
News Update:
I woke up at 4:30, took our new puppy out for his daily walk, while my sweet loving husband and children were asleep.
(** Cute story, Not any thing to stop the press over with all that is going on in our country now.)
Posted by: Kellie | May 1, 2009, 2:37 pm 2:37 pm
Mrs. Obama cited examples of service from around the country including a garden at Colorado State University that will produce vegetables for a local food bank and an effort on May 9 by the U.S. Postal Service called, “Stamp Out Hunger.” The first lady said that the POSTAL SERVICE is asking Americans to leave perishable food donations next to mailboxes and the carriers will pick them up when they deliver mail.
—————————-
Some poster (who can’t read evidently) was asserting that the first lady was the onus for the perishable food/postal service delivery idea.
Please re-read the above ,slowly carefully …think about it…DOH!
ps I put the important part in capitals to help you
Posted by: Dog | May 1, 2009, 2:45 pm 2:45 pm
As Mr. Tapper has stated before…
watch for: Diabetic Shock.
Posted by: DontGet818OnMeNow | May 1, 2009, 3:13 pm 3:13 pm