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With such ‘experts’ in Congress, no wonder we’re in such a state
By Gina Spadafori
March 18, 2009
The Washington Post reports that Wisconsin Congressman Steve Kagen, who’s also an allergist, had some advice for the Obamas. One hopes they don’t listen:
“There is a hypoallergenic dog. It’s called a cat,” jokes Rep. Steve Kagen (D-Wis.), an allergist who was elected to Congress in 2006.
[...]
But given that the Obamas are clearly intent on getting their own living, slobbering, panting dog regardless of the household allergy issues – Dad promised, after all – Kagen has a very strong opinion of what type of dog it should be.
[...]
Kagen even shared his unsolicited and biased opinion with first lady Michelle Obama on Inauguration Day before the start of the swearing-in ceremony. “Get a golden retriever and shave it,” Kagen says he told Mrs. Obama, who, according to the congressman, hasn’t come back to him for more advice.
Smart woman, is Mrs. Obama. Because this is one prescription that shouldn’t be filled.
In the first place, more people are allergic to cats than to dogs, and generally the reactions to cats are more severe. And then … shave a golden? I think Congressman Dr. Allergist missed that day in school when it was explained that people are allergic to specific proteins in saliva and urine and on skin flakes. These allergry triggers will stick to fur (and anything else nearby), but it’s not the fur that people are allergic to. That’s why hairless dogs and cats aren’t non-allergic. Keeping a coated dog in a buzz cut would reduce some of the fur available for carrying dander, but it wouldn’t make the pet non-allergenic. (Read more on WebMD.)
Whaddaya want to bet the Obamas are kicking themselves for not getting a dog two years ago, when no one in the world would have cared what they got?
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I’m glad people care. Important people have influence. There’s nothing wrong with being conscious of that, and wanting to make a good decision while keeping it in mind.
Comment by Trin — March 18, 2009 @ 3:02 pm
This is touching a nerve. I am getting almost as tired as you are Gina, of the Obama Dog fixation. There are 3 things on my current list of dog related topics that turn me off.
In no particular order:
The Obama Dog Debate
Cesar Milan and his methods or lack thereof
Terrierman’s incessant rant against the AKC and post menopausal women like me who support the Fancy. And I don’t even like a whole lot of AKC’s policies but I am very bored with the constant attack against breed dogs. What are being featured in the post about Best Friends? Breed Dogs! What do Americans really want? Breed Dogs!
Boring, old, tired topics! If you haven’t anything new to add to any of them that hasn’t been said repeatedly, move on! Be part of the solution like you folks are trying to do by raising the questions, making your readership think, and not by beating any of these topics or their participants aka William Koehler! Arghhhh!
Comment by Anne T — March 18, 2009 @ 3:31 pm
Honestly, I wouldn’t have blogged it except that the congresman/doctor’s advice was not something I wanted to let stand unchallenged.
I’d just hate for people to think all they had to do to “fix” allergies to pets was shave their pets.
Aiiyeeeee!
Comment by Gina Spadafori — March 18, 2009 @ 3:38 pm
Gina, you need somehow to install a wall banging emoticon on this blog. It would be so useful!
If this guy is an allergist by profession, and he thinks shaving down a coated dog is the answer, or that cats are hypoallergenic I am not going to waste my money with him trying to figure out whether it’s wood stove ash, cat or dog dander or ubiquitous house dust that is making me sneeze multiple times per day and explosively! Double arrrghhhh!
Comment by Anne T — March 18, 2009 @ 3:53 pm
He’s probably not much of an allergist if he’s in congress instead of private practice.
Comment by Janeen — March 18, 2009 @ 4:14 pm
Gina, you need somehow to install a wall banging emoticon on this blog. It would be so useful!
Right after she installs the head exploding emoticon!
Comment by The OTHER Pat — March 18, 2009 @ 4:48 pm
Maybe the Obamas are waiting for the stock market to hit, oh I don’t know, 8000 again and, while everyone runs off and bays about that, will quietly get the dog that is right for their family, whatever they decide that is.
Eventually the collective short attention span in this country will work in their favor. I hope.
Comment by Susan Fox — March 18, 2009 @ 8:22 pm
Goldens are a hyper-allergenic breed. If you’re allergic to one breed, it will be the golden.
And shaving them, well, that might be a good way to keep the fur off the floor and furniture during shedding season. However, I found that clipping my dogs for any reason merely made them more susceptible to skin issues. When I left the fur on, I didn’t have hot spots.
Comment by retrieverman — March 19, 2009 @ 8:42 am
What kind of allergist would recommend a cat for someone with dog allergies? A not very bright one, IMHO.
Yeah, I’m sick of the Obama dog thing - I would love it if they got something unexpected like a boxer or a hey, how about a nice Chihauhau?
As for coverage of the AKC - I didn’t know much about them - but I’m learning a lot. And I bet most people don’t know about giving papers to puppy mill dogs and genetically risk matings (siblings, parent/pup). Terrierman aside, it seems that there are some real problems that need to be addressed.
Comment by 2CatMom — March 19, 2009 @ 9:04 am
The President was on Jay Leno last night, and said the puppy would be “in place” after he returns from the NATO summit in April. Personally, I would like to see the family get a mutt.
Comment by perkysmom — March 20, 2009 @ 8:26 am