Comments on: The new first family’s dog: Frankly, Scarlet, I don’t give a damn

By: Rosie

Rosie — Thu, 18 Dec 2008 21:20:19 +0000

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

By: Jan

Jan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 23:27:34 +0000

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.

By: nancy freedman-smith

nancy freedman-smith — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 17:54:59 +0000

they ain’t getting a pup until spring—this will never end
i agree first puppy overload

By: Amy

Amy — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 09:10:16 +0000

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.

By: Anne T

Anne T — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:41:51 +0000

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.

By: Gina Spadafori

Gina Spadafori — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:22:26 +0000

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.

By: Barbara Saunders

Barbara Saunders — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:21:41 +0000

I, too, noticed that the New York Times(!) called the Goldendoodle a “purebred.”

By: Alena

Alena — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:15:15 +0000

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

By: H. Houlahan

H. Houlahan — Fri, 07 Nov 2008 00:10:00 +0000

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.

By: Anne T

Anne T — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 23:41:05 +0000

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!