On a day when our nation’s first puppy got acquainted with his White House surroundings, his father, Watson, lounged inside a strip mall in western Pennsylvania.
Seemingly unaware of his progeny’s sudden star status, Watson carried on as usual: napping, monitoring sidewalk traffic, and nestling his head into customers walking through the door of 21st Century Media in Ambridge, his owner Craig Rader’s home electronics business.
The Raders got a phone call Sunday night during Easter dinner informing them that the Obamas had chosen 6-month-old Bo, a Texas-born Portuguese water dog and son of Watson, as their family pet.
“We’re very shocked and surprised that we’re now related to the Obamas - through dog relations,” said Susan Rader, at home yesterday with her sons, Garrett, 4, and Kyle, 2.
Most days, 6-year-old Watson is your typical family pet, sleeping in his owners’ bed at night and obligingly letting Kyle ride him like a horse.
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“He’s done things I cannot even believe he’s accomplished,” said Rader, describing how Watson taught himself the risky trick of standing on the floor and reaching into the sink and flipping food out of the garbage disposal.
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