From the Dog House to the White House: General: BraveHeart Women

From the Dog House to the White House Posted Apr 15, 2009 01:22 AM
1 Attachment capt.833ba83100b3493baa04273b63ce668b.us... (35.4 K) We all remember Nov. 4th 2008 when President Obama gave his victory speech to the nation. In that speech he announced there would be a dog following he and his family to the White House. The day has come and Bo the 6 month old Portuguese Water Dog has found his forever home. Bo may disagree, but many animal advocates are disappointed that Obama didn't go to a shelter or breed rescue group, partly because he set that expectation and because so many activists are focused on trying to reduce the number of animals euthanized at shelters, and there's no better person to make the case to the American public that you can get a great dog from a shelter than the president." Let it be known that the First Family has pledged to make a donation to the Humane Society in lieu of a rescue adoption. As for the many reputable dog breeders, they pour their heart and soul into raising healthy quality dogs and take all precautions that their pups go to the right families. In some cases, for example in Bo's situation, it didn't work out with his first pet parents. Because he came from a reputable breeder, there was a contract signed stating if the owners couldn't keep the dog it will be returned to them. This keeps the dogs from ending up in shelters. What is your opinion on buying a dog from a breeder or rescuing one from a shelter? Pawsitive thoughts, Audie Kids and Pets community
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2 Comments

Hi Anne,

I enjoyed reading your comment. The Obama's have made their decision on Bo so they need to be the best pet owners possible. That to me will send a clear message to the public on responsible pet ownership.

I love your idea on Bo having his own social networking site!

Pawsitve thoughts,

Audie

I can understand peoples disappointment, I feel kinda disapp. esp. if he 'promised' shelter? But, I am happy for Bo and I hope has a wonderful life with the Obamas, I feel sure he will : ) It must be his karma. Maybe Obama family can adopt at a later point a pooch pal for Bo, this time from a shelter perhaps?
Meantime, lets send good thoughts and best wishes to all. I feel that bitterness born of disappointment re. what is a personal matter (albeit be a public family!!) will actually do a disservice to the animal welfare/no kill community, of which I am an ardent supporter).

Maybe too much pressure of expectations was put on the first family, and we should just make the best choices on our own judgement, & not 'just' coz we love, admire, or want to get the proxy endorsement of the Obamas for our by doing as they do in all things? Mind you I'm not an American, maybe the choice of the little PWDog will have a big impact on how people obtain their animal companion, but I hope they go to rescue groups or REPUTABLE breeders at least! [In Australia, I don't think the choice of our PM"s dog, or if he even has one which I don't know, would hold much sway over the public one way or another!]

I am always in favour of shelter animals, but, even so, I am not totally adverse to people, if they must have a purebred, getting it from a small scale breeder who also totally adores the breed, and for whom the welfare of the pups is absolutely paramount. Better that, than the puppy farms, which will continue until banned or shut down, to 'feed' the shelter population to a heartbreaking extent.

So all in all, re. Obamas choice - I'm philosophical in the end, and I hope that the family and children are not given a hard time about it. They deserve to enjoy and learn how to be good pet parents with their dear new Bo. Lets send blessings and love.

Wouldn't it be cool if Bo could have his own blog, or twitter perhaps? Updates on his life in the White House?! Thereby also more subtly and in a fun way modelling great care for how to look after dogs, the trials, challenges, joys, adventures?? Maybe the older Obama lass (don't know her name sorry) could even be the blog's/twitter author, on behalf of Bo?

I ghostwrite for my Lily (KindDog) sometimes, it is her Twitter, and Caplinrous, for instance, who I follow, is totally a first person star "rodent" tweeter!

Anyways, just some musings,

best wishes from Anne.

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From the Dog House to the White House