Bo's White (House) Christmas

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

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.

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?

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

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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