Bo's White (House) Christmas

The First Dog gets into the holiday spirit with cookies, trees, family and friends
By People Staff
Updated December 15, 2010 03:00 AM

1 of 12

COMFORT & JOY

Credit: Photo Illustration: iStock; Chuck Kennedy/Official White House Photo

With Christmas less than two weeks away, the Portuguese water dog has been busy getting in the spirit of the holiday season.

Advertisement
Advertisement

2 of 12

SANTA'S HELPER

Credit: Leslie Kossoff/Polaris

As part of an annual tradition, Michelle Obama stopped by the Children’s National Medical Center in Washington, D.C. this week. Like she did last year, Mrs. Obama came with her trusty assistant, Bo.

3 of 12

THIS CREATURE WAS STIRRING

Credit: Leslie Kossoff/Polaris

While the First Lady read “ ‘Twas the Night Before Christmas,” which is part of the tradition, a young friend held onto Bo – who seemed to have gotten excited about something. Perhaps he heard some sleigh bells jingling?

Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

4 of 12

PETTING ZOO

Credit: Mandel Ngan/Getty

While Santa may be a big attraction around some parts, at the hospital, the brightest star was clearly a fluffy dog.

Advertisement

5 of 12

MINI ME

Credit: Lawrence Jackson/Official White House Photo

It’s like getting a wax museum statue, but better. This reproduction of Bo is four feet tall and took 500 hours to make!

6 of 12

IN THE DETAILS

Credit: Charles Dharapak/AP

It might have been a faux Bo, but the figurine included elements from the First Dog’s real life – including a holiday collar similar to one he wore last year, along with a charm that featured his official photograph.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

7 of 12

COOKIE CUTTER

Credit: Charles Dharapak/AP

Just two years old, and already an icon. Michelle Obama’s furry “son” inspired a set of holiday cookies from White House pastry chef Bill Yosses.

Advertisement
Advertisement

8 of 12

BIG TREAT

Credit: Charles Dharapak/AP

For the second year in a row, a confectionary Bo kept watch over the Obamas’s gingerbread house, but this year, the dog got a little bigger than he was last year. “We wanted to emphasize Bo’s importance to the First Family,” Yosses said.

Advertisement

9 of 12

HOLIDAY GREETINGS

Credit: Courtesy of the White House

He’s so important, in fact, that the official White House Christmas card came signed by every member of the Obama family – including a paw print from Bo.

Advertisement
Advertisement
Continued on next slide.
Advertisement

10 of 12

SUB(ZERO) WOOFER

Credit: Pete Souza/Official White House Photo

Is that a Christmas caroler outside? Let’s hear some “Bark! The Herald Angels Sing!”

Advertisement
Advertisement
Advertisement

11 of 12

OPEN DOORS

Credit: Rex USA

The pup leaves the chilly weather for the warmth of indoors. Ahh, that’s more like it.

Advertisement
Advertisement

12 of 12

MERRY GENTLEMEN

Credit: Samantha Appleton/Official White House Photo

And that’s even better! Love and adoration for a deserving dog. Merry Christmas, Bo!

Advertisement
Advertisement
Replay gallery

Share the Gallery

Up Next

By People Staff