Was Bo Obama Quarantined In Hawaii?

This morning Politico ran the headline "Bo Gets Quarantined," but it might not have been as dramatic as it sounds.

Bo traveled to Obama's home state on Saturday with the first lady, Sasha and Malia. The president will join them when Congress has wrapped up.

Christmas in Hawaii has been a long-standing Obama family tradition; this upcoming holiday will be their second as first family, and Bo's first. But before he could frolic with the family, he had to pass a veterinary exam upon landing.

Hawaii has strict rules for animals arriving on the islands: according to Hawaii News Now, the "Five-Day-Or-Less" quarantine program requires that all traveling pets have had at least two rabies shots in their lifetime, with the most recent occurring within 90 days of the pets arrival, as well as extensive blood tests to make sure the pet does not have rabies. He also has to have an identification microchip and the Obamas had to pay a $165 fee.

Although there's no official confirmation (the White House press office unfortunately doesn't write releases about Bo), it would seem that he passed with flying colors.

Hawaiian Agriculture Department spokeswoman Janelle Saneishi says the "Five-Day-Or-Less" program "has a provision for direct release at the airport if the owners do things as required," and the Obamas "did start the process quite early."

So, go, Bo! Have a good vacation.

Check the Travel page for updates on the Obamas' Christmas in Hawaii. There have been no sightings yet, so in the meantime you can amuse yourself with the Bo Obama Big News page.

Comments

[lab221]

07:58 PM on 01/15/2011

Bo is a cutie, I would hate to have a life without a dog. They have unconditional love for their master.

[DeeFromTheD]

07:30 PM on 12/23/2010

Bo's been sighted.

http://theobamadiary.com/2010/12/23/hot-dog-2/#comments

[stuff7321]

01:31 AM on 12/21/2010

Things have changed. Many years ago, Hawaii wouldn't allow any dogs in at all to maintain their zero rabies rate.

[MsDee]

08:31 PM on 12/20/2010

I am sure we should see a tweet from the Alaskan twit soon. She has a special thing for the Obamas.

[JAVADA]

06:41 PM on 12/20/2010

I live in a very small apartment but if I am ever able to afford a larger apartment or house, I would get a dog like Bo in a heartbeat! He is adorable.

[zoetrope]

08:40 PM on 12/20/2010

I am wearing my "Bobama teeshirt" from his visit to Martha's Vineyard!!

[palainausa]

03:34 PM on 12/22/2010

He's so cute when he pulls the president around.

[mdsman]

05:38 PM on 12/20/2010

Long standing tradition?
This is like his 3rd time....

[HighDesertBob]

06:29 PM on 12/20/2010

Did you read the article? It's the family's second trip, the dog's first since Obama became President.

[mdsman]

07:50 AM on 12/21/2010

they also went in 2006...thus the third

[JAVADA]

06:32 PM on 12/20/2010

Why so much hate. My God, it's Christmas get a life.

[mdsman]

07:51 AM on 12/21/2010

no hate...just amusement

[Neico]

05:36 PM on 12/20/2010

Bo is a cutie.

[dlaurels]

05:27 PM on 12/20/2010

I wonder if they have taught him to swim yet. What a lovely place for him to frolick in the surf.

[zoetrope]

08:42 PM on 12/20/2010

He is a Portuguese Water Dog. He should be able to swim without intervention.

[palainausa]

03:35 PM on 12/22/2010

A gift from The Swimmer.

[pottedferne]

05:23 PM on 12/20/2010

The family does seem to really adore their Goggie..........

[LucieLee]

05:16 PM on 12/20/2010

What an adorable dog!!!

[NebDem78]

04:49 PM on 12/20/2010

"Although there's no official confirmation (the White House press office unfortunately doesn't write releases about Bo), it would seem that he passed with flying colors."

I would prefer any press release at all about Bo, than the stuff said about his master. He is the most powerful dog in the world!

[usain1bolt]

04:49 PM on 12/20/2010

u just gotta love our first dog

[trobts]

04:32 PM on 12/20/2010

Let Bo frolick all he wants (what a cutey)! I'm for a quarantine on all thugs entering DC -- they are rabid!

[fishinwithtom]

04:11 PM on 12/20/2010

Interesting how things go when you are the POTUS. My brother moved to Hawaii for work and his Golden Retriever was put in quarantine for 8 weeks and ALL of the papers were in order. I understand the ecological necessity of verifying all dogs entering the island, but in this day and age, if you're papers can be verified, everyone should get the Obama deal.

[ADinSC]

04:28 PM on 12/20/2010

They changed the rules since then. Nobody has to keep their pets in quarantine for 8 weeks anymore. I'm guessing you missed reading the part about the "Five-Day-or-Lless" program???

[Rippeer]

04:49 PM on 12/20/2010

Still an arcane policy. There is sufficient testing to ensure a pet does not have rabies. I lived in Hawaii for many years, this is a policy built entirely on ignorance and maintained by the governmental bureaucracy of the people's republic of Hawaii.

[JAVADA]

06:37 PM on 12/20/2010

Of course he didn't read the 5-day or less rule, why would he. In order to spew his dislike for President Obama, not reading it makes it more convenient. People like him see, hear and read what they want.

[msla56]

04:46 PM on 12/20/2010

just stop it. HATER

[RockyBlue3]

10:41 PM on 12/21/2010

Hi! I'm trying to become a moderator and I just wanted to say that things seem to
be getting a little heated here. Just a little heads up and trying out my skills!

[Uggg]

04:00 PM on 12/20/2010

Smartest one in DC (talking about Bo)