BlogHer - Obama Family Dog Campaign: From Rescue Dog to First Dog - Comments

I just wrote a tangential post, Beth

lauriewrites — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 23:18:42 -0500

Admittedly, it was somewhat tongue-in-cheek, but it spoke to the differences in pet ownership between McCain and Obama, and what, if anything, that means for them as leaders.

I am also a staunch proponent of rescue, and don't support that AKC poll in my personal life (my "AKC registered" doggy ended up w/ me through a puppy mill rescue...bred til she could breed no more and then dumped.) However, although I do agree that it would be awesome if - when the Obamas get a dog - they DO opt for a rescue, I'm a little more concerned about the whole "pet as calling card and/or bribe" message that's being sent here, in the media and the attendant public chatter.

See, I have no idea if this famiiy is really equipped to care for a dog right now, if they really want one or if it's political pressure alone that's making this issue such a hot-button (that more or less answers itself, I guess.) Much like Gina at Pet Connection has a "No Christmas Puppies" category, I'm half-seriously formulating a "No Election Puppies" idea for my own sidebar.

As I said, I totally support the concept....just a little bugged out by the bigger media picture here.

Laurie

LaurieWrites

I signed!

Maria0305 — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 22:03:35 -0500

A cause close to my heart. I hope he heeds the call.

- Maria

http://immoralmatriarch.com

Obama Family Dog Campaign: From Rescue Dog to First Dog

Beth Kanter — Tue, 15 Jul 2008 21:16:10 -0500

Photo Source: Obama Family Dog Campaign

All the dogs in my life have been adopted from animal shelters or dog rescue organizations. Choosing to adopt a puppy or dog from a rescue group or shelter, you're not only saving a life, you're decreasing the demand for puppies from factory-farm like puppy mills.

The Best Friends Network, an interactive and global online community of people and organizations who care about animals, has just launched a petition to urge Senator Obama's family to consider adopting a shelter or rescue group pet.

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.

Best Friends gives 11 reasons for the Obama family (and every family) to adopt a dog:

An adopted pet is a life saved
Rescued pets love you just as much (if not more!)
Mutts are one-of a kind
Purebreds need rescuing too
You can find any size, age, color temperament at a shelter or rescue group
Rescuing a pet is the socially responsible choice
Rescued pets are already spayed or neutered (what a bargain)
Adopting decreases demand for dogs from puppy mills
Why not?
You can be proud of your rescued dog
That warm fuzzy feeling

The petition has gotten over 19,000 signatures in 24 hours. With animal activists blogging, on Facebook, Twitter, and Flickr, let's see if the first dog in November will be a shelter or rescue dog.

Beth Kanter, BlogHer CE for Social Change and NGOs, writes Beth's Blog.