Obama family considers adopting a shelter dog

[timvas]

Original link is at:
http://www.baltimoresun.com/news/nation/politics/bal-md.puppy08nov08,0,1259344.story

Obama dogged by pet challenge
Country weighs in as the first family-elect ponders a pooch for the White House
By Julie Bykowicz
November 8, 2008

President-elect Barack Obama has promised change. He has also promised his daughters a puppy. With the right dog, he can make good on both.

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[LolaMarigolda]

I don't know where the Baltimore shelter person is getting their info, but there are TONS of goldendoodles and labradoodles (as well as other poodle mixes) sitting in shelters and rescues across the US. While this particular article hasn't been the one referenced, the topic is hot on a lot of dog sites. I know that several of the DC/VA/MD rescues have offered to assist.

[luvadog]

I have mixed dogs...mixture of maltese, yorkie, cocker and sheltie. :D

[Karen]

Obama did not choose a shelter dog :(
http://obamafamilydog.com/first_dog.cfm

[luvadog]

Obama did not to choose a shelter dog :(
http://obamafamilydog.com/first_dog.cfm

I know. And I'm angrrrrry! So many dogs in the shelters. Well, so much bull in Obama's promises!!!

[jonomo]

The dog was a gift from Kennedy.. it's hard to turn that down.. it's not like he went to Petco and bought a dog~

[luvadog]

I should have sent him one from Korea. Darrrrn!

[alibuch]

I know. And I'm angrrrrry! So many dogs in the shelters. Well, so much bull in Obama's promises!!!

haha That seems quite hypocritical since one of your dogs is from a Korean pet store, eh? The dog was a gift. Like jonomo said, it wasn't like he went to a pet store to get it. People need to calm down.

[luvadog]

haha That seems quite hypocritical since one of your dogs is from a Korean pet store, eh? The dog was a gift. Like jonomo said, it wasn't like he went to a pet store to get it. People need to calm down.

haha. It's about the promises. He has broken others as well.

Yes, and another one is from a breeder. I would consider buying a sheltie from the same breeder one day when I'm rich.

I think they got a nice puppy. Sometimes shelter dogs are inappropriate for kids.

[alibuch]

When did he "promise" he was going to adopt a shelter dog? Considering and promising aren't the same thing.
I won't get into politics though because McCain/Palin in office would've been the biggest joke in US history.

[luvadog]

When did he "promise" he was going to adopt a shelter dog? Considering and promising aren't the same thing.
I won't get into politics though because McCain/Palin in office would've been the biggest joke in US history.

You just did.:p

[alibuch]

Whatever you say, luvadog. Perhaps you should concentrate on the welfare of your 7+ dogs instead of Obama taking a dog from Sen. Kennedy that was on it's way to the shelter anyway.

[LolaMarigolda]

...instead of Obama taking a dog from Sen. Kennedy that was on it's way to the shelter anyway.

You have no way of knowing the dog was on its way to the shelter. The majority of PWD breeders sell on a contract with the option to take the dog back. Just because the dog was not a good fit for its original family doesn't mean that it would have been sent to a shelter.

The breed club is really vigilant about pressuring breeders to be responsible and the club-affiliated rescue offers help to owners who are having issues (like the pup's first family) and are thinking of giving the animal up.

Just to give you an idea of how uncommon the dogs are, there are 8 mixes listed on Petfinder and of those, most are seriously mislabeled.

[alibuch]

haha ok.