Urge the Obamas to adopt a homeless dog

[Blondiegrrl]

I'm a proud owner of two pound puppies (and one pound kitty) myself. I volunteer at an animal shelter and it breaks my heart to see so many healthy, beautiful animals put to sleep because there simply aren't enough homes for them. At my shelter, the euthanization rate averages 75 to 80 percent. And many shelters have rates even higher than that! Just think what a wonderful example the Obamas would be setting if they got their dog from a shelter!

Best Friends Animal Sancuary has started a Web site and petition:

If Sen. Barack Obama becomes president, he'll instantly be faced with decisions that will affect millions of Americans. Obama will also soon be making a decision that could affect millions of American dogs. It has been reported that once the election is over, the Obamas will be looking for a new four-legged family member (much to his daughters' delight).

The American Kennel Club (AKC) has suggested five types of purebred dogs that would fit the Obamas' lifestyle. While we don't disagree that it's important to choose a dog that matches well with the family, mixed breeds should certainly be considered along with pure breeds. Also, whether purebred or mutt, we believe the Obamas should make a winning choice and adopt a family dog, not buy one.

http://www.obamafamilydog.com/

[slinkerwink]

1. the girls are allergic, and need these five types of purebred dogs that do not trigger

allergies.

[goclark]

3. I had a darling Maltese that was the light of my life

I've had two sinus surgeries so that was a big consideration with me for the breed.

[JI7]

4. the girls or Michelle ?

i read somewhere else that it was Michelle who was allergic. here is Malia with a dog.

[Lisa0825]

5. Regardless of which family member it is...

IMO, this is one of the few legit reasons for choosing a breed over a mutt. No offense intended to breed aficionados, but people who work at shelters have a hard time with breeding when so many still need homes.

[Blondiegrrl]

6. There are rescue organizations for purebreds as well.

I hadn't read anything about the girls being allergic. But yeah, if they needed a certain breed, they could probably find one that is being fostered by a rescue organization.

[Muttocracy]

7. yes, a surprising # of purebreds die in shelters too - though I'm a fan of mutts

and I think they're more in keeping with the Obama family tree :)

edit to add - someone get them this book:
http://www.amazon.com/Mutts-Americas-Dogs-Brian-Kilcommons/dp/0446519499

[Blondiegrrl]

8. Ooh, *I'd* like to have that book! n/t

[Muttocracy]

10. it's fun - a breed book for the non-inbreds - actually more of a field guide

to mutts.

Instead of the old fashioned groups (what the heck is non-sporting anyway), they talk about the types of mutts being

the black dog
the white dog
the shepherd mix
the unidentified furry collie object

etc. :)

They make guesses about identifying breeds and what they might be like, though in some cases you could get either a double-nightmare or a double-treat depending on the genetic roll of the dice and which characteristics come down. They have great dog hero stories too.

Paws to Consider is also great - dispels a lot of myths about purebreds, which ones are not good for typical family environment.

[Blondiegrrl]

11. LOL. We call them "West Virginia Brown Dogs" where I live. n/t

[Muttocracy]

12. pulled it off the shelf and actually "brown dog" is the first one!

"The universal mutt type, found from Chicago to Calcutta. He's forty pounds, plus or minus five, short hair, narrow snout, saber tail. AKA Feral Dog, Original Dog, Natural Dog. Sometimes referred to as pariah dog when he doesn't serve humankind. Heaven forbid, he's just being a dog. A dog is a dog is a dog and this, ladies and gentlemen, is a dog. Classically brown but all colors permissible."

:D

Edit to add - later in the book they do roughly use the herding/working/terrier/etc. categories, but in some cases all bets are off.

[Blondiegrrl]

13. Haha ... I love that! I need to order that book.

My babies:

[Whisp]

2. the pounder we got is a light in our lives.

go mongrels

[Blondiegrrl]

9. They're the best! n/t