Disappointed Over First Dog Choice
April 13, 2009 | Category: LIFE + STYLE
Guess I wasn’t the only one who felt this way. I have nothing against Portuguese Water Dogs or responsible breeders, but when I see all the perfectly lovable dogs that end up in shelters all across the nation – many of which are purebred – waiting to be rescued from a certain death and find forever homes, it makes me very sad to see that time and time again, people are instead opting to buy from breeders.
One life saved. It was a decision that could have set such a wonderful example that would’ve been heard around the world. A “ripple-in-the-pond” decision that could have saved many more.
PORTUGUESE WATER DOG
From: REUTERS
NEW YORK (Reuters) – Animal rescuers voiced disappointment on Monday that President Barack Obama and his family chose a purebred dog from a breeder over rescuing an unwanted animal from a shelter.
Bo, the first family’s new Portuguese Water Dog, is six-month-old puppy who was returned to his Texas breeder by a previous owner.
“I think all of us who work trying to place homeless animals had hoped that they would choose a shelter dog,” said Steve Gruber, spokesman for the Mayor’s Alliance for NYC’s Animals in New York City.
“His choosing to go to a breeder is a disappointment. Choosing a shelter dog, that would have been a really powerful message to the American people,” he said.
The Portuguese Water Dog was chosen in part because the breed is hypoallergenic and Malia Obama has allergies.
However such a dog could have been found on any number of Internet rescue sites or through Portuguese Water Dog rescue groups, said Antonia Kwalick, adoption coordinator for the Infinite Hope rescue group in Brooklyn, New York.
Take Pepper, a young Portuguese Water Dog up for adoption in nearby Arlington, Virginia, found online with just a few quick keys strokes on the computer, Kwalick said. The shaggy brown-eyed Pepper is described by her rescuers as an “adorable and sweet” dog who “loves kids.”
“I am really disappointed,” Kwalick said, calling the Obamas’ decision “elitist” for “wanting a pure breed and getting it from a breeder so that it is presumed perfect.”
“It would have been good for the girls to actually walk into a shelter to see how many animals need homes. They should have set a better example,” she said.
In the blogosphere, opinions were mixed. While some bloggers were critical, others noted that Bo already had been returned by one owner and needed a home.
Others noted first-time dog owners might fare poorly with a rescue dog, and others felt the decision was a private matter. Also, the Obamas will reportedly make a donation to an animal shelter.
Some rescuers voiced concern of a possible surge in the number of people wanting Portuguese Water Dogs who could find themselves unable to care for the high-energy canines. Those dogs could land in shelters, where millions of unwanted dogs and cats are euthanized every year, they said.
“It’s a cycle that should stop,” said Kwalick.
Tags: first dog, obama, portuguese water dog
2 Comments
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Annette
on April 13th, 2009Pity,
though good that Bo got a safe and caring home – it would be perfect if they adopt another dog from a rescue aswell
Here’s hoping
and Obama hopefully will make a right move by taking in another dog.
Michelle
on April 23rd, 2009we too were disappointed with the news the first family would not be rescuing the first dog. It would have done a world of good to have the country see the president adopt rather than shop. The statement that rescues are too much for first time adopters is malarky…rescues groups try to match the right dog with the right home, more than breeders do.