Habemos canis primus!

Ladies and gentlemen, we have a First Dog. Bo, a Portuguese water dog, is expected to take the oath of office on Tuesday, after perhaps the longest vetting process in the history of American politics.

The Washington Post reported in its online editions Saturday night that Bo, a gift from Massachusetts Sen. Ted Kennedy was named Bo by the First Daughters Malia and Sasha because Michelle Obama’s late father, Fraser Robinson, was nicknamed Diddley. The pooch’s name plays off the name of the late rock icon Bo Diddley.

The identity of Bo as the First Dog was long suspected but not previously confirmed, as the administration completed the process of vetting Bo’s tax returns and conducting a thorough allergen-background investigation.

Bo, who’s said to have already hit the carpet running, is expected be in consultation with Secretary of State Hillary Clinton on ways to strengthen Portuguese-American relations; an ambassadorial role has apparently been discussed, but nothing has been confirmed at this time.

Queen Elizabeth’s corgis sent congratulations from Buckingham Palace, as did Koni, representing Russian Prime Minister Vladimir Putin. Barney, the First Dog during the Bush administration, called Bo to offer best wishes as well.

This latest appointment to the administration fulfills a longtime campaign promise that candidate Obama made to the girls, and continues the steady-as-she-goes narrative of an Obama White House completing a range of objectives in its first 100 days.
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Image credit: Bo: Pete Souza, The White House.