Photo/ White House blog
Bo Obama, the first fam's newly adopted Portuguese Water Dog will be officially announced on Tuesday. The Obama pup comes as a disappointment to many who had hopefully anticipated the first family would use the opportunity to rescue a shelter dog, instead.
Last night I hung out w/ singer/songwriter Nellie McKay after her performance at the Denver Vegetarian Health Expo. It was one of the most inspiring live performances I've seen in years. Nellie's energy is so fierce, confrontational, courageous, contagious, generous and healing.
The question she initially posed to her audience continued to re-emerge throughout the night. Why hadn't the First Family and taken advantage of this high profile rescue opportunity to rescue a shelter dog. Why?
Bo Obama, I learned from the White House press release, shortly after, is hypoallergenic and one of the members of the first family happens to have a dog allergy. Bummer. Major bummer, in fact. Does it justify their choice? Not completely.
I am sympathetic to their health concerns. At the same time, given the legion of shelter dogs being euthanized each year, couldn't they have made more of an effort? Think about the legion of staff at the disposal of the first family and of Senator Ted Kennedy --the giver of the gift. Combine that with every shelter in the country poised in anticipation of this unique opportunity to spread public awareness and ready to bend over backwards in order to assist the Commander in Chief. The aquisition of a hypoallergenic shelter dog ---the victim, perhaps, of a negligent, impatient and irreverent owner--- was well within their means. Even, in the extremely unlikely circumstance, that an abandoned Portuguese Water Dog was no where to be found; how about the Poodles, Schnauzers, West Highland White Terriers and other dogs now being recommended to individuals who suffer from dog allergies?
In effort to end this on a somewhat brightish note, I shall also inform you that Nellie McKay is now a proud new parent. Although, Denver's strict pit bull regulations, precluded the golden hearted singer/songwriter from being able to bring him to Denver with her, his newly adapted presence was with her in spirit, throughout the night. And yes, in case you are wondering, Nellie McKay chose to rescue a shelter dog.
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Comments
There are plenty of dogs that are hypollergenic at shelters. They say to ease the disapointment of not adopting from a shelter they will just send a check to a local shelter. What a slap in the face to all the people who spend countless hours trying to find homes for homeless animals. It now appears they care very little about rescue dogs. It is all a show!!
Thinking about what millions of disappointed animal advocates can do to lift our spirits after our disappointment that the First Family did not adopt a dog from a shelter or rescue, it occurs to me that each of us could derive some satisfaction by personally sponsoring the spaying of just one animal that otherwise would breed an unwanted litter, as an expression of our disappointment. Adoption of a family pet saves one life. Preventing just one unwanted litter reduces the overpopulation of animals by 4 to 12, depending on the size and species of the female animal selected for a sponsored spay surgery.
There is no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. Further, there are 11 homeless Portuguese Water dogs listed on petfnder. Sadly, these dogs and the millions of dogs in our nations shelters weren't good enough for Kennedy and Obama. Buy/get a dog from a breeder and get one in a shelter killed. Snobs kill shelter dogs. SHAME ON KENNEDY AND OBAMA!
Shame on Obama and Ted Kennedy is RIGHT! Don't breed or buy while shelter animals die! Obama's choice to adopt or rescue would have had a positive profound effect on the millions of animals that are euthanized in shelters across this country every year!
There are over 48 different breeds of dog that are considered hypo allergenic. Surely an appointed staff person could dig up hundreds if not thousands of rescue animals that need a home that meet the presidents requirements that the girls would love just as well.
I wonder how many emails the president received from shelters nation wide notifying him of in need, homeless hypo allergenic pets. I'll bet his Blackberry was overloaded!
I've heard the excuse ("I couldn't find a dog at a shelter that I was not allergic to so I had to buy one") a million times. It's a Bum excuse.
Benny T. Bulldog (Rescued and glad to be alive!)
Every day, I want to say "I told you so" about Obama. He can't even adopt a dog. He had all of the information he needed to adopt a dog for his kids. A water dog or a labradoodle were not the only options either.
This is sad. I actually fell for it, too, and though he might adopt one, even though I have little faith in republicans or democrats.
I did a search on petfinder this morning, 14 Portuguese Water Dogs.
He could have set such a good example, what disappointing news to see first thing this morning.
Get a life! This is American and people are free to get any kind of dog they want. Quit whining!
I'm glad the Obamas got a pure-breed dog. There are too many people trying to mind other peoples' business. If there are no dogs bred, dogs will go extinct, especially the wonderful pure-breed dogs that are works of living symbiotic art representing a sacred parnership between man and dog. Pure breed dogs from reliable breeders are better choices in general because they are wanted amd nurtured from birth for good temperment and intelligence. Dogs that are haphazardly breed, accidents, don't get the kind of positive stimulation that makes a super dog (see Carmen Battaglia's work.) People with rescue dogs are always so amazed at my dog's focus and calm behavior. They are forever saying, "He's only 15 months old? He's so calm and well behaved!"
That's because he is the product of over a thousand years of intelligent design not an accident.
There is continuing confusion that needs to be cleared. There is no hypoallergenic dog breed. Details can be read on this blog from November 10, 2008--
Allergies, Asthma, and the Presidential Pet
By Alvin M. Sanico, M.D.
There has been increased interest in "hypoallergenic" dogs since Barack Obama brought up the topic in his first post-election press conference. The main concern is that his daughter Malia has asthma and allergies, so the wrong canine choice could lead to a disappointing - if not seriously detrimental - outcome. The president-elect already faces many crises that need to be addressed, so it would be in everyone's best interest to take a potential problem off his plate. This brief article could provide useful insight not only for the future First Family but also for others in a similar situation.
The quest for a “hypoallergenic” dog (or cat for that matter) is a natural consequence of the high prevalence of asthma and allergies combined with the high percentage of households that have pets. The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology cites that in the US, at least 20 million people have asthma and this problem accounts for an estimated 5000 visits to the emergency department, 1000 hospital admissions and 11 deaths every single day. Asthma can be affected by various factors including sensitivity to indoor allergens. In the Institute of Medicine report Clearing the Air: Asthma and Indoor Air Exposures, it was concluded that asthma exacerbation is associated with exposure to allergens from cats, cockroaches, dust mites, and dogs among those who are sensitized to these allergens.
Such sensitivity can easily be demonstrated by needle-free allergy skin testing that reveals results in 20 minutes. If the test is negative, then any concern about dogs in relation to allergies and asthma would be unwarranted. If the test confirms sensitivity, then it definitely should be part of the disease management discourse. The fundamental problem in allergies and asthma is inflammation that develops upon exposure to relevant allergens. The treatment strategy should thus include avoidance of such exposures, which can be effective but certainly not easy to accomplish. Indeed, a USA Today Snapshot showed that 45% of households with pet allergy sufferers kept a dog or cat knowing that the pet causes a reaction.
The Humane Society reports that about 39% of US households have one or more dogs, and nearly 34% have at least one cat. Pets are clearly part of the family fabric in many American homes, so while talks about avoidance can lead to positive results, they are understandably often futile. The current talks about “hypoallergenic” dogs, on the other hand, can lead to negative outcomes if they perpetuate a myth and create unfounded expectations.
The fact is that all dogs and cats produce allergens that can be found in their dander and saliva, regardless of their breed and the length of their hair, or lack thereof. Some may produce more - or less - allergens than others simply because of their individual nature. Based on this premise, it wouldn’t really matter if the Obamas choose a "mutt" over the various breeds that pet pundits now suggest.
The American Kennel Club reported that the Poodle won in a poll where more than 42,000 votes were cast to choose the “hypoallergenic” breed for the Obamas. This is highly ironic, because a study by Ramadour et al published in the journal Allergy in 2005 showed that mean levels of the allergenic protein Can f 1 were highest in dander from Poodles and surprisingly lowest from Labrador retrievers. A key finding was that Can f 1 levels varied significantly within the same breed. The authors concluded that “we can advise patients to choose Labrador dogs over another breed but the variability from one dog to another in the same breed shows that a 'hypoallergenic dog breed' does not exist."
Given that the president-elect cannot renege on his promise to get a puppy, other approaches need to be considered at this point. Before the choice is finalized, a reasonable trial period would be advisable to test whether, and to what extent, exposure to any candidate dog triggers symptoms. Control of allergy and asthma need to be optimized and maintained with appropriate medications. Allergen immunotherapy may be considered, with the understanding that it would take several months before desensitization can be achieved. With the right strategy, the chosen dog could provide joyful companionship instead of consternation.
______________________________________________
Dr. Alvin M. Sanico is the Director of the Asthma Sinus Allergy Program at Greater Baltimore Medical Center and an Assistant Professor of Medicine at the Johns Hopkins Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology. He is a Fellow of the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology.
Well I think the name BO is fitting . The Pup is black n white just like its owner ! So why not have the name BO just like the owner BO they match perfectly !
hmm stop whining it was their choice to get what ever dog they wanted just because the world doesn't turn the way you want it to doesn't mean you should cry about it if your so worried why don't you go get a dog FROM THE POUND do you really know how many people get dogs not from a pound just because HE IS OUR AMAZING PRESIDENT doesn't mean you can bad mouth him and not he other a million Americans who do not get their pets from a pound
Obama betrayed the thousands of shelter dogs for whom he has not uttered a word or apology, after all his, and the media's big talk about "mutts". No Mutt for the Big House - How many Obamas does it take to choose a dog from zillions in USA Shelters? Evidently, it only took an old busy body powerful senator, Kennedy. Did the Obamas even bother to visit a shelter and see for themselves the tragedy of our nation's cruel discardment of companion animals, and realize they have slim hope for life. Noooo, they were too busy "researching" for a prestigious breed, who will be bred by unscrupulous breeders, exhausting mother dogs who are forced to churn out baby Water Dogs for the idiot "follow the leader" public - then many of them will end up in the shelters where Killing is a daily routine. Shame on Obama. He is on my XXXX list, His callous treatment of this crucial problem, homeless animals, and his failure to speak out, missing this chance is unforgivable! Shame shame. Its up to us folks. We are on our own..that is to animal advocates, not you who are ooeing and awing over the First PET. Ridiculous public.
This dog is probably trained and nice. I've been to the shelters and seen some messed up pets. The animal is meant to be a light-hearted distraction from serious issues. Even if there is only a 1% change that the animal will be damaged or difficult, why take that chance? What if it wouldn't sit still or be nice on camera? Besides, who cares?
IT'S THEIR CHOICE!!! If they didn't want a dog from a shelter than so be it. Why is every dissapointed. There are way more things to worry about rather than where his puppy came from. I suggest you all getting a life and LEAVE BO AND BARACK ALONE!!!
Well I am very very disapointed with OBAMA , he realy broke his promisse. He got a breeder dog instead of a needed dog from a shelter ! He is breaking many promisses after got elected. One by one. I think they are all made from the same pot ! Obama is not what I thought he was. They all make promisses before elections and later always break them. Big disapointment ! He does not care as we imagine. What a game this life is ! Horrible. I dont like him anymore as I did.
Obama could have adopted this very nice dog ! He is like his breeder dog but from a shelter. His name is TX-Mickey
Standard Poodle, Portuguese Water Dog [Mix]
from petfinder if you see this dog and see Obama new dog there is no diference , but the fact is that one needs a home more tham the other. Mickey was rescued, along with his brother from a city shelter having been found dumped on the side of the road.
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