Image: Pete Souza — The White House Photo on WashingtonPost Political Puppy Pleases If anyone had any doubts about Obama’s abilities to navigate delicate politcal situations and finesse an optimal outcome, these reservations must now be dashed: the White House puppy choice has been announced. Call it a dog decision that required
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Green Puppy in the Obama White House
Recycled? No.
It’s a dog from a Puppy Mill.
Breeders make dogs for profit., That is a puppy mill. The Obamas broke their promise to get a shelter dog and I hope the Humane Society sufficiently chastises them.
The Obamas just couldn’t say no to Kennedy.
When a powerful Dem offers you a free dog, you better take it??? Politics!
Recycled? Cute, but totally misleading an inaccurate.
I have to disagree with the prejudicial and sweeping dismissal of breeders as “puppy mills”.
If all dogs were bred by reputable breeders, there would be no need for animal shelters. A well bred dog has predictable characteristics that make a pet suited depending upon a family’s needs. A reputable breeder will not sell a dog just to make a profit, but will interview the potential buyer to make certain the dog is a good fit and will find a good home.
It is certainly right to take a position against anyone who treats animals badly, and there are some breeders who go too far, causing genetic problems and suffering due to striving for characteristics of the breed that just don’t make sense for animals that started out from wolves.
But don’t throw the baby out with the bathwater. To alleviate animal suffering, follow some simple rules:
-Know your breeder before you buy. See the dog in its birthplace, with its parents if possible.
-Buy a breed or mix that fits for you. Most families do not have space or time for a demanding large breed like the PWD. But there is a right dog for you out there.
-Train your dog. It keeps the dog from getting bored and making problems. And it makes for happy owners. Get professional help if you don’t know what you are doing yourself.
-If you don’t intend to breed your dog, have it spayed or neutered. If your dog has undesirable characteristics (not talking looks here but attitudes or diseases), have it spayed or neutered.
-If you don’t spay or neuter, control your dog when it is ready to breed, so you get the pups you want.
I agree that in a perfect world, a shelter dog would have been a good pick. However, with the allergy issues to contend with, this is not a bad decision.
Furthermore, since the first two posters have gone from 0 to hyperbole in no time flat, it merits pointing out that while there are some breeders that treat their dogs horribly, it’s not a given that EVERY breeder behaves in that manner. Not every breeder is a puppy mill. They’ll run the gamut, in metaphorical terms, from Perdue to Niman Ranch. Some will exploit their charges, some will breed them responsibly. There are more options that the false dichotomies above would have you believe. Given the circumstances, this is not a bad decision.
Never mind that, when Ted Kennedy offers you a dog that can SWIM, you’d better take it!
Let’s review:
- Economy in shambles? Check.
- Millions unemployed and rising? Check.
- Foreign policy regarded as a joke by declared enemies of the US? Check.
- Somali pirates take US citizens hostage? Check.
- Iran continuing full steam ahead with nuclear program? Check.
- North Korea fires a missle over Japan? Check.
Hey, look! A puppy!!!