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Obama & Shelter Dog

15 years ago

When Obama was addressing the nation after winning the presidential election, he told his daughters that they would now get the puppy that he promised.

The cool thing that I've read is that they are going to adopt a shelter dog instead of buying a purebred dog.

Pretty good example to set - to rescue one of the many pets trapped in shelters.

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Comments (14)

socks
15 years ago
You said it!!

I visited a shelter yesterday to donate some towels. Walked around and looked at the animals. It's heartbreaking.
marlingardener
15 years ago
The first family will have a first dog, and that dog will be a rescue dog--how wonderful! Perhaps adoption will become "the thing to do". Nothing against purebreds, but they are almost assured of getting a good home; not so all of the lovely mutts out there.
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Question, Do you know for a fact he is terrified of cars or is that just what the kennel people said?? Was it because of the experience the dog was having going to the kennel?? Could you give him a wakl on the leash around the car, then go back inside and try and do a bit more each time you take him out and get him use to just the look of the car?? I know if my husky mix had his way he would never leave the house or the car....He has issues with everything and things can turn from carefree to get me in the car right now in a matter of minutes. If I dont push him every now and then he would be fat and lazy and never go anywhere. The other day while hiking he heard an airplane go overhead, and took off for the car. I kept walking, knowing he has seperation anxiety I used that to my advantage, eventually as soon as I disappeared behind some bushes he came up to me. I talked to him and whistled for him the whole time. Sounds like this pup needs some bonding - do you talk to him alot while you are there?? How do you feel about taking him for a walk near the car - will the shelter let you do that?? I think this poor dog might not be wired right to start off with, and I think the shelter people have put alot of limits on the dog - I mean I would be afraid of a car too if someone noosed me and tossed me in, and yet given the right situation and the right person I think you might be able to overcome some of this shyness. Do you know anything about the dogs history before he got to the shelter or how old it might be??
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You don't give kids the responsiblity for caring for pets. That is up to the adult/s in the household. We grew up with pets but didn't have to care for them, my mom did. A friend of mine had a kitten and she was supposed to care for it and she was 10 years old and of course kids do not remember to feed it or all the things involved.
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The two dogs I adopted as rescues took 6 mos to a year before they bonded fully with me. Neither was used to living in a house, my current little dog I believe had never been in a house and probably lived on the end of a chain until the rescue took him in, and then he was in a kennel for 3 years. He really had no notion at all of what it meant to belong to a household. I do not believe he would ever fit in most other households. He has post traumatic stress from being abused on a regular basis by a short heavy-set man (he's told me exactly what his abuser looked like by barking the alarm at two unrelated repair men of the same description who came to my house over the past year) and he will sometimes suddenly snap at or bite my husband and myself. We understand that the ghosts in his past cause him to do this, and we understand. We are so happy that he came to live with us and I know he feels the same, but it has been a long road. I agree that a foster home could give you a better picture of a rescue dog in their care, and also the dog would have been given a crash course in socialization and be further ahead. Still I think that a rescue dog is likely to be feeling lost with the upset in homes, and take some time to bond with you. An exception might be a dog who has been in a stable home and suddenly lost their owner due to death or serious illness. Even then such a dog may well be in mourning for his previous beloved owner and take time to bond with a new owner. Even a puppy from a breeder takes awhile to recognize a new owner as his special person. Looking back I think that all my dogs, and cats too, over the years looked upon me merely as a friendly stranger for the first month or so. Adopting a rescue pet is not instant gratification, but it is a wonderfully gratifying experience to have earned his love and trust over time, and to know what a difference you made in his life.
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annz, cynthia and lily316 What I've been telling you is not a story it is real and it has been killing me for a long time. Its hurts me more when you tell me I'm part of the problem when I've cried and set up nights worried sick but did not know what to do. You don't understand, where we live you don't mess with anyone's things but your own. I have to be very careful because I have a home and family that I have to protect. This person is right beside me. My heart has been so hurt with this that I don't know if I can come back and hear you say its my fault. I understand your hurt because that is what I've been living with only much worse because I have to live beside it and see. Where we live everyone keeps their dogs outside and most chained. I don't like it but that is the way it is. I wish it was not that way. We use to have a dog. We loved her so much. After about 16 years she got sick and died. The vets could not get over how well we took care of her each time we took her for her check up. They always would brag on her. She had regular baths and never without food and good. We did not keep her chained and she was an outside dog but only in the day. We would bring her in the garage in the evening and close the door. If we left for vacation our family came every day to take care of her. We kept a really good very thick bed for her in the garage attached to our home. We would bring her in from time to time. She was our baby. We love animals and take very good care of them. We have a cat that stays in the house with us now. She has never been out. We love her and take the best of care of her. So, we love animals and take them regular to the vet. I'm sorry that you feel that I'm part of the problem. I know you feel for them because I'm just like you. I hope it helps you with your hurt to know when I say we will try to do everything we can for the dogs. There is nothing here to help animals but one animal shelter which in a few days if no one comes to get them they kill them. I know that can be better than living in some cases. I don't think very many people go there to get animals. They were shut down for terrible things they were doing themselves but have now reopened. There is nothing here but the sheriff. It is so different her than other places when it comes to animals. I have family that live in other states and the laws protect their animals as much as people almost. There are so many neighbors all around you but here its not that way I'm the only one beside this owner. If something is done he knows its me. I will come back and let you know.
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luvdogs
15 years ago
Purebred shelter dog or mixed breed but it better be a shelter dog!!!!!!!!!!!

And the AKC and the UKC better support it!!!!!!!!!!!!
cynthia_gw
15 years ago
The kids are researching dogs and suggested a shelter dog, but there's a lot of blah blah press on this and the latest is that they're interested in a goldendoodle or a poodle. They aren't getting a pet until January, so we'll see what happens.
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
My dogs would love to live in the white house :-)
runsnwalken
15 years ago
I'm going to write a letter to him, explaining about good dog food and some books too could you imange the kind of positive power that would be unleashed if Obama knew what went into most pet foods?

books in his hands like

Food pets die for- Ann N martin

Dr pitacharns guide to natural health for dogs and cats

and Pet food politics- have the power to change the world.
irishdancersgram
15 years ago
I think he said, he would like to have a shelter dog, being a mutt himself, but with the alergies they might have to watch what breed they get...That will be one lucky dog!
mazer415
15 years ago
I hear he was getting a golda-doodle and that the dog was coming from a breeder, our neighbor is a trainer and heard the same thing. I guess we wont really know until the paws hit the lawn at the white house. ALthough I am happy for the Obama's I worry about the dog - since Clintons dog was hit by a car. I wonder how much time the Obamas really have for a puppy.
todancewithwolves
15 years ago
Great thought, runsnwalken. However - the letter will never get into the Obama's hands. I wrote Barbara Bush once and I recieved a response from a different department.
cynandjon
15 years ago
They said the dog has to be a hypoallergic breed because one of the girls has allergies. I think theres only a few breeds that fit that category.
biwako_of_abi
15 years ago
Mazer: Besides the family, that dog will be sure to have plenty of people watching it and a better chance of avoiding accidents than many regular family dogs. The Obamas can easily hire people to watch over it and take care of it when the girls aren't around or are busy.
kms4me
15 years ago
Clinton's dog Buddy was hit AFTER he left the White House.

If they can't get a Shelter Dog because of the allergy issues to their daughter, there are many Rescue Groups out there, most likely one for Goldendoodles and other dogs that might fit the hypoallergenic criteria. I certainly hope they stick to their guns and rehome a dog, whether from a shelter or rescue.
debd18
15 years ago
All Obama has to do is put the word out and every rescue in the country will rush to supply the type of dog he wants, so getting a hypoallergenic shelter dog shouldn't be a problem.

Personally, I hope he chooses a breed that is already popular and well-known. If he chooses one of the lesser known ones like the Havanese or Bolognese, they'll end up being overbred and exploited due to the sudden fame, as so many other breeds have been.
spiritual_gardner
15 years ago
It seems that, given how many shelters there are in this country, there has to be at least ONE dog in one of them that will fit the needs of President Obama and his family.

This could be a really big thing. There are way to many dogs in shelters that need a home. A first dog whose life was saved by this family would be a truly incredible thing.

SG

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