Beanie Babies modeled after Bo the Portuguese water dog are selling like hotcakes Last month, toy company Ty announced its plans to market a Beanie Baby in the image of the new Obama family dog, Bo. And the Bo dolls appear to be popular enough that they're hard to keep in stock.

Less than a dozen "Bo" Beanie Babies were sent to the educational toy shop Learning Express in the Chicago suburb of St. Charles, and they sold out quickly.

Capitalizing on the first family's popularity seems to come naturally to Ty, which came under fire early this year when it introduced two dolls, "Marvelous Malia" and "Sweet Sasha," apparently modeled after the president's daughters.  (A Ty spokesperson said the company had chosen the names simply because "they are beautiful names," but the dolls were quickly rebranded.  You can see "Marvelous Mariah" and "Sweet Sydney" above - and clearly they bear no resemblance to the Obama girls. Cough, cough.)

Beanie Bo's suggested retail price is $4.99, although the dolls are often selling for considerably more on eBay.  One online auctioner even offers the holy trinity of Obama-themed Ty memoribilia: original TyGirlz Malia and Sasha dolls (authenticated!) and Beanie Bo.  Asking price?  $2,299.95.


via http://www.bestfriendnyc.com/

by Jimmy Orr

Well, we all know that Germans love David Hasselhoff. But now Hasselhoff is going to have to share the love.
Enter President Obama’s new dog, Bo.

The president’s decision to get a Portuguese Water Dog for his family has resulted in a boom in demand for the breed. At least in Germany. The German newspaper Bild reports that the breed has sold out in the country and interest in the dog “is out of control.”

Everyone wants puppies, but there are hardly any in Germany at the moment. Surprising? Well, perhaps Bo Obama didn’t know how popular he would be once donning the title of First Dog. But it was certainly something expected in the US.

Just this morning, animal behaviorist Terry Jester wrote, “I hope the Portuguese water dog breeders are gearing up for what will be a huge surge in the demand for puppies.” Dr. Jana Kohl, an animal-rights activist who featured President Obama in a book promoting pet adoption, predicted a run would happen — especially with the president’s decision to opt out of his campaign promise to get a dog from a shelter and go the breeder route instead.

Obama accepted a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo from Senator Ted Kennedy. Bo originally came from a Texas-based breeder.


via http://www.bestfriendnyc.com/

Best Friend NYC joins WOW! Creations to celebrate Barack Obama’s arrival to the White House by presenting the First Family and their new puppy with the “First Puppy” Gift Box, and launching the “InauGROOMation” marketing campaign.  
We all witnessed Barack Obama’s historic speech on the night of his presidential victory promising his daughters
Sasha and Malia a new puppy in the White House. While the search for the perfect breed is still under way, President-elect Barack Obama has narrowed the selection of incoming First Dog to either a Labradoodle or a Portuguese Water Dog.

Equally excited about either choice, Best Friend NYC has partnered with California-based “WOW! Creations” to welcome the First Family and their First Puppy to the White House and present the Obamas with the “First Puppy” Gift Box.

Among a variety of canine-related items presented at this historic gifting, The “First Puppy” Gift Box will feature Best Friend NYC’s Natural Canine Grooming Regimen and a Canine Aromatherapy Candle. The gift box will be presented to the First Family at a ceremony taking place in Washington, D.C. on the second week of February, 2009.  

Additionally, to celebrate America’s new President, on January 15, 2009 Best Friend NYC launches an “InauGROOMation” marketing campaign. This limited-time campaign will feature four value sets (“Transition Team,” “Economic Stimulus,” “Full Cabinet,” and “Presidential Treatment”) with savings ranging from $12 to $30 on Best Friend
NYC Natural Canine Grooming Regimen products, Organic Gourmet Biscuits for dogs, online gift vouchers and Aromatherapy Canine Candles.   

Best Friend NYC Pressroom


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