Photo taken from Obama's Dog BlogThe Obama's new dog, Bo, did not spend any time in a shelter. But sources say he wasn't a fit with his original family. So that constitutes a rescue, doesn't it? A good breeder will typically ask for a pup to be returned to them rather than to a shelter if the situation doesn't work out when one of their dogs is placed in a home.
The Obama's daughter, Malia, has allergies. Portuguese Water dogs do not shed as much hair and are said by some to aggravate people allergies less (there are those who say a hypoallergenic dog is more specific to the person and tests are available to determine an individual's response to an individual dog).
Did the Obamas rescue a dog in need of a good home or not? Let me hear your thoughts.
Posted By:
Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
The Obama's daughter, Malia, has allergies. Portuguese Water dogs do not shed as much hair and are said by some to aggravate people allergies less (there are those who say a hypoallergenic dog is more specific to the person and tests are available to determine an individual's response to an individual dog).
But the breed is not for everyone. A "Portie" is very energetic and needs a guardian who will exercise him regularly. This is true for so many dogs, whether it be a shelter dog, rescue dog, or a purebred dog. Having the honor of a dog in your life takes a committment -- one that lasts for the lifetime of the dog. Perhaps our First Family can be an example to the world on how to take great care of a dog to keep him fit, happy and healthy.
Did the Obamas rescue a dog in need of a good home or not? Let me hear your thoughts.
Posted By:
Dawn Kairns
Author of MAGGIE: the dog who changed my life
www.dawnkairns.com
www.maggiethedogwhochangedmylife.blogspot.com
6 comments :
I think it will be a good fit for the president. Hate the word rescue. If you pay any type of money for a dog you bought you didn't rescue it.
Given Malia's allergies, the family's choices were limited. While I would have liked to have seen them adopt a dog from a shelter or breed rescue, Bo clearly needed a new home, and he found it. Judging by the initial photos, he's going be a much loved dog, and unlike some presidential dogs in the past, he'll hopefully be a real member of the family and not just a PR opportunity.
Thanks "Retriever Farm." I understood that Bo was a gift from Senator Kennedy to the Obama's after the first home didn't work out. Did Senator Kennedy buy the dog, then? I didn't realize that. I knew the Kennedy's paid for training Bo -- didn't know they bought him. Thank you for clarifying.
Thanks for your thoughts, Ingrid. I agree, that with Malia's allergies, the family's choices were limited. I, too, had hopes for a shelter or rescue dog, especially with these hard economic times, since more animals are relinquished. I, too, hope Bo will be a real member of the family -- looking good at the start, isn't it?
Sorry don't mean to be so cynical but It seems liKe every dog I see was rescued and abused according to the new owners when ACTUALLY THE DOG JUST LACKS SOCIALIZATION AND COULD EASLIY BE TURNED AROUND, BUT PEOPLE USE THE RESCUE ABUSED EXCUSE TO IGNORE REAL PROBLEM BEHAVIORS. TO ME RESCUE MEANS I OPENED MY HOUSE FREELY TO AN ANIMAL IN NEED NOT THAT I WAS LOOKING FOR A DOG SO I WENT AND PAID SOMEONE OR SOME FACILITY TO GET ONE.I JUST THINK THE WORD GETS OVER USED.
I sure agree that many dogs could be kept in their original homes if their guardians were able to recognize and properly address problem behaviors and poor socialization issues. Sadly, I think that many people don't know how to address the problem behaviors and end up giving their dogs up instead. Isn't this how dogs end up in shelters and rescue organizations?
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