Obama's family dog announcement Bo died

"It was hard for our family this afternoon. After a fight with cancer, we bid farewell to our best friend – our dog, Bo, "In a statement posted to Instagram Saturday former first lady Michelle Obama said.

Shortly after moving into the White House, the Obama family had Bo, who fulfilled a campaign promise made by Barack Obama to get his daughters Sasha and Malia, a dog for their time on the campaign trail.

The ex-President posted Saturday, adding that "BO tolerated everything that felt like he was at the White House, had a big bark, yet no morsel, loved jumping into the pool during the summer, was unflattering with the children, had a great dining table and had great hair." "Our family was losing a true friend and true companion today," Bo added on Twitter.

Michelle Obama also wrote that Bo had "slowed down" in her lives for the first couple and had assisted them in "seeing girls go to high school and adapting to life as empty nests."

"Bo was constant, gentle in our lives for more than a decade – happy to see us in the midst of our good days, our bad days, and our everyday lives," the former President wrote.

"Of all the pleasures the first year in the White House will bring, none quite compared to the mid-April arrival of Bo, a huggable, four-legged black bundle of fur, with a snowy-white chest and front paws," Obama wrote in his memoir "A Promised Land."

Bo, a Portuguese water dog, was a gift from the late Senator Ted Kennedy and his pet, Victoria, to the Obamas.

"Not only because the breed was hypoallergenic (a requirement due to Malia's allergies), but also because the Kennedys had made sure that Bo was housebroken before he came to us," Obama wrote.

"We are grateful that he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch," the Obamas said, "but we are thankful that he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch."

"We also recognise that we aren't the only ones who cared for Bo, and we appreciate all of the love you have shown him over the years," the family said. Sunny, the Obamas' other Portuguese water dog, is also a member of the Obama family.