KEY POINTS

  • Jill Biden offered her condolences to the Obama family after they lost their dog, Bo
  • The first lady said Bo "brought smiles" to everyone
  • Michelle and Barack Obama announced Saturday that Bo passed away at 12 years old after a battle with cancer

Jill Biden has sent the Obama family her condolences after they announced the death of their beloved family dog Bo.

On Saturday, Michelle Obama and former President Barack Obama shared on social media the heartbreaking news that Bo had died at 12 years old after a battle with cancer. Shortly after, Biden took to Twitter and Instagram to offer her condolences.

"My heart is with you @MichelleObama, @BarackObama, Sasha, Malia, and Sunny. Bo brought smiles to us all," the first lady wrote.

The family welcomed Bo into their lives in 2009, shortly after Obama's first presidential inauguration. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, Bo, who was a Portuguese water dog, was a gift to the couple's daughters, Sasha and Malia, from Senator Ted Kennedy.

On Biden's and the Obamas' posts, a number of Twitter users also sent their condolences and shared their own pain when they lost their fur babies.

"My condolences to the entire Obama family on the loss of Bo," one wrote.

Wrote another, "We give them the time we can spare, the space we can spare, the love we can spare, and in exchange they give us unconditional love and acceptance. It's the best deal humans ever made. Run free, Bo. Your people miss you so much."

"Big condolences. It’s always too soon. Still deeply missing out 11 yr old who passed over a year ago. Dog bless your memories," a third user posted alongside a photo of her late dog.

"We just had to say goodbye to our grumpy buddy Jasper last week. He got diagnosed with cancer back in January, and he just turned 12 a few days before he passed. Sending all the hugs to your family," another commented.

"I’m very sorry for your loss. I lost my cat of 15 years to cancer today. It’s very difficult. We all loved Bo!" a fifth netizen wrote.

In her tribute for Bo, Michelle Obama said she "will always be grateful" that her daughters were able to spend "so much time together" with their beloved dog before his death.

"As a family, we will miss Bo dearly. But we are thankful that he lived such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch," she wrote. "We also know we weren't the only ones who cared for Bo, and are grateful for all the love you showed him over the years."

The former first lady also asked her social media followers to "hug the furry members of your family a little closer tonight—and give them a belly rub from us."

Michelle and Barack Obama, and Joe and Jill Biden at Obama's 2013 inauguration
Michelle and Barack Obama, and Joe and Jill Biden at Obama's 2013 inauguration POOL / CJ GUNTHER