The new first family’s dog: Frankly, Scarlet, I don’t give a damn
By Gina Spadafori
November 6, 2008
Every animal-advocacy group in the country put out a media release yesterday asking the new president to address the issue most critical to our nation’s very survival:
What kind of dog the first family should get.
For the record, I hope the Obamas get a nice little shelter dog, maybe some kind of mopsy, fuzzy-faced terrier mix. An adult, not a puppy, because a well-chosen adult dog often fits in better and more quickly into busy households, especially those with little dog experience.
Yes, it would be a good thing and a good example. But honestly? I don’t much care beyond that they get a nice dog who fits with their family and brings joy to their lives.
See, the Obamas choice of a family pet ranks about 1,074,037th on my list of things that it’s important for President Obama to be thinking about.
In my own Top 10? Along with the economy, the wars, healthcare and energy independence, I would put food.
Food.
Food.
and then, Food.
To say we are vulnerable to terrorist attack though our food supply is to state the absolute obvious. We don’t even need to have people want to hurt us: It’s already happening, just because of corporate greed, corruption in China and shoddy work from a government that’s supposed to protect us, not industry profits.
Melamine. In pet food, livestock feed, infant formula and heaven know what else. Salmonella, from the over-industrialized food system. Antibiotic resistance, from factory farming.
These issues are so much more important to me than getting the politically correct dog for the adorable Obama daughters.
I’m disappointed with the animal advocacy groups . With the lone exception of the Animal Poison Control Center of the ASPCA (hat tip to the courageous Dr. Steve Hansen of the APCC), they were mostly silent during the pet-food recall and they remain so on the issue of food safety still. A safe food supply effects us all, pets included, and I would hope to see some of them step up and say so.
So let’s all enjoy the photo op moment of the Obamas getting their family dog. And then, let’s move on to something that really matters.
I know you’re right—but those cute girls…with a puppy—melt my heart. But I know you’re right. ::Sigh::
Sadly it doesn’t even seem like the FDA is on any politician’s radar.
Comment by Lori — November 6, 2008 @ 6:26 am
Lori: Take heart - the FDA is on Sen Durbin’s radar - and since he’s Obama’s mentor I have a feeling that while you won’t read a lot about it in the press - Durbin’s going to get a green light to propose changes to FDA funding and enforcement.
It might be a good time to congratulate Sen Durbin on his protege’s win, and to let him know that we are counting on him to continue his courageous work on food safety.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 6, 2008 @ 7:41 am
Ok - I forget to mention that I believe that Obama has already committed to getting his kids a pound puppy…not that this is going to change the world or anything, LOL.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 6, 2008 @ 7:42 am
at least the White House staff has plenty of experience with puppies.. they managed the Bush’s Scotties.
Maybe Barney would like to stay on?
remember this pic:
http://www.smalldogsparadise.c.....e-terrier/
Comment by EmilyS — November 6, 2008 @ 8:39 am
I’ve been interested. Here’s why.
So far, every quote I’ve seen from the Obamas about the prospective puppy has been sensible. They’ve done some research — especially Malia — and they obviously want to do right by their prospective dog. But, and here’s what I find instructive, most of what I’ve seen from animal advocacy orgs has not been sensible in the least.
Here, I would think, would be a golden opportunity to be gracious and helpful, and provide both the first family and the greater public with useful information not only on the range of animals available from shelters and rescue, but also on the prospects of pet ownership for the allergic.
So, what do they do? Guilt-trip, nag, stump for their own particular favorites, and for the most part callously ignore Malia’s allergies and the family’s preferences.
Way to go, folks. *Fine* way to show me just how responsive you’d be to my needs and wants, when I decide to adopt another pet. Not. Really. Just not.
Comment by Eucritta — November 6, 2008 @ 9:46 am
Excellent points!
And I think you expressed exactly what I was thinking: That I’m tired, tired, tired of these groups using nice kids wanting a pet to push their own agenda over the needs of this family.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 6, 2008 @ 9:57 am
Eucritta is exactly right. My pet peeves are people getting pets because they think they’re hypoallergenic without knowing all the facts/considerations surrounding “hypoallergenic” pets and choosing a breed or mix without really understanding what they’re getting into, so I hope the Obamas get some good guidance in both these areas.
Comment by Kim Thornton — November 6, 2008 @ 10:36 am
Not to mention some really good obedience classes if they do get a puppy. Given that the whole family is inexperienced about raising a dog - they are going to need some help.
Comment by 2CatMom — November 6, 2008 @ 10:50 am
Hi Everyone, I am a coordinator with the International Doodle Owners Group. We had gotten word that the President Elects family had done research and landed on a goldendoodle for the family. If anyone knows and can get word out that there is an international rescue, rehome and retraining group that would be terrific!
Comment by DUDLMOM — November 6, 2008 @ 11:28 am
The regular readers on MSNBC seem to be more sensible than the “advocacy groups” in this silly poll:
http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/27556702/
“Mutt” wins by a landslide.
My dream gig would be as the Obama’s dog-selection-consultant and dog trainer. And we really are close enough to DC …
I actually know someone who has worked with White House dogs before.
I’ve helped many people select a dog, and never had a mismatch.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 6, 2008 @ 11:55 am
You have my vote,Heather!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 6, 2008 @ 12:22 pm
I agree Gina…
food
food
food
The top of my list too…I hope that it’s at the top of Obama’s list also!
Comment by Marcy — November 6, 2008 @ 1:05 pm
A “goldendoodle”? So you are acknowledging that this type of dog, in accordance with Obama’s statements, is not a purebred?
Comment by EmilyS — November 6, 2008 @ 2:13 pm
Goldendoodle? So MooDo was right in her Op Ed in the NYT.
Yup, the First Family is going to need a great deal of support during the dog’s adolescence. I hope they are being encouraged to take training classes starting with basic puppy socialization and continuing on.
Comment by Anne T — November 6, 2008 @ 4:26 pm
Meant to add, this is an awesome opportunity to do things like a CGC, APDT Rally, and other dog performance sports that allow non purebreds to compete. The Obamas have the opportunity to introduce America to the joy of dog sports!
Comment by Anne T — November 6, 2008 @ 4:41 pm
Food Food Food Food.
And, turns out, drugs drugs drugs drugs:
http://online.wsj.com/article/.....05711.html
Eighty-one dead Americans already. Not American dogs and cats this time. Not Chinese babies.
Comment by H. Houlahan — November 6, 2008 @ 5:10 pm
Hey Gina great article coudn’t agree more.I hope people will find much more important issues to talk about like food safety.sometimes makes you wonder where people are at.Alena
Comment by Alena — November 6, 2008 @ 5:15 pm
I, too, noticed that the New York Times(!) called the Goldendoodle a “purebred.”
Comment by Barbara Saunders — November 6, 2008 @ 5:21 pm
I think the goldendoodle was an earlier idea, and the family has since pledged to adopt from a shelter.
But again, I’ve been waaaayyyyyyy too involved with things that like, uh, matter, to follow this too closely.
Which means that the 27 media releases I got today alone from animal groups and the publicists of “celebrity” dog trainers, etc., hit the delete file unopened.
I trust the Obamas are quite capable of choosing a family pet on their own, and I wish them well. But the battle of poltically correct dog selection has well and truly given me a headache.
I’m. So. Over. It.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — November 6, 2008 @ 5:22 pm
Oh lovely. Thanks Heather, I missed the contaminated heparin. As for the dogs, two more sponsors have bailed out of Crufts, citing the Hitleresque breeding practices of dog breeders and their inherent cruelty. So to extrapolate, the ARs are winning and I personally find the First Family Elect dog saga important, because I would like to see them actually train their dog of choice, and involve us in their saga.
Along with that, I would love to see the Food and Drug Administration have the staff and funding to be able to fulfill their role as guardians, and to have all special interest ties to Agribusiness and Drug Companies severed. It won’t be easy, as they have had their way for 8 long years.
Comment by Anne T — November 6, 2008 @ 5:41 pm
I agree that there are much more pressing issues.
However, I disagree that this is not an important matter that could spotlight and educate people on adoption of animals (or, at least, knowing your breeder).
I have had a number of friends who are incredibly anti-mill ask me questions and then discover that they had been prepared to make a decision thinking it was the right one only to realize there was a cover up.
The same happens to me with pet food. All the time.
Because Obama has this amazing respect and huge spotlight, these seemingly little things matter SO much.
I recently told a friend who has allergies that I thought a goldendoodle would match her personality perfectly. She found one that was 2 years old and needed a home. That was about 2 months ago and now they are a perfect pair.
Food is oh so important and I’ll be the first to admit that. But, in this time of foreclosure dogs, it is also important to stress the benefits of adoption. And after the First Dog is adopted and has set an example for the nation, then we move on to food and set an example through legislation.
Comment by Amy — November 7, 2008 @ 2:10 am
they ain’t getting a pup until spring—this will never end
i agree first puppy overload
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — November 7, 2008 @ 10:54 am
There’s an issue of allergies and no guarantee that any kind of doodle wouldn’t inherit the characteristics of the non-poodle parent.
I expect that these level-headed parents will take an extra 1/2 hour to check out any allergic reactions when they eventually go looking for a puppy.
Comment by Jan — November 7, 2008 @ 4:27 pm
I agree that food safety is largely ignored in this and other countries. What bugs me also is that US law only regulates and enforces *certified* organic pet food claims while all other (non-certified) organic claims can be made even if not an ounce of organic ingredient is used in the pet food! With certified organic pet foods all claims made to market the pet food are verified by an unbiased party (verification covers not only the organic staus of all ingredients but also all other possible quality claims, including ‘free of: GMO, antibiotics, hormones, synthetics; human-grade, dehydrated (some ‘dehydrated’ foods are a mixture of cooked and dried ingredients!), all ingredients made in the US,’ etc. All these claims can be made without restriction and control by any US pet food company that has its products not certified organic, even if they are not true! I read a lot bout this on http://www.onestaorganics.com (this is also where we get our safe pet treats) - Rosie
Comment by Rosie — December 18, 2008 @ 2:20 pm