Disappointed in Obama's decision.

[Symph2001]

I guess the breeder Biden got his from MAJORLY regrets it now. She's getting death threats from animal rights people.

[amandawash]

I am NOT an Obama supporter in the least, but I don't understand why that family should have to adopt. I have two rescues, a lab and a golden, and my two yorkies. I don't know that I will ever rescue again, although it does feel good and I know I saved at least the lab's life. However, at this point, it is pretty frustrating having to deal with all of his health issue's stemming from poor breeding. Our golden also has hip problems, which is due to the fact she was locked in a tiny crate for the first year of her life and her hips didn't develop properly. I am also dealing with my yorkie who just had bilateral luxating patella surgery, which our surgeon stated was genetic.

Needless to say, I will only purchase from a REPUTABLE breeder in the future, as this heartbreak is too much.

I think when there are children involved it is a lot scarier to adopt than to purchase a puppy and mold it into the perfect family dog. Oh, and BTW, there is no truly hypoallergenic dog. While some do not shed hair, they are always shedding dander which is a huge allergen.

[juliaw04]

I am glad to see I'm not alone in my thinking. I was in a crabby mood last night.

[Mardelin]

Originally Posted by amandawash

I am NOT an Obama supporter in the least, but I don't understand why that family should have to adopt. I have two rescues, a lab and a golden, and my two yorkies. I don't know that I will ever rescue again, although it does feel good and I know I saved at least the lab's life. However, at this point, it is pretty frustrating having to deal with all of his health issue's stemming from poor breeding. Our golden also has hip problems, which is due to the fact she was locked in a tiny crate for the first year of her life and her hips didn't develop properly. I am also dealing with my yorkie who just had bilateral luxating patella surgery, which our surgeon stated was genetic.

Needless to say, I will only purchase from a REPUTABLE breeder in the future, as this heartbreak is too much.

I think when there are children involved it is a lot scarier to adopt than to purchase a puppy and mold it into the perfect family dog. Oh, and BTW, there is no truly hypoallergenic dog. While some do not shed hair, they are always shedding dander which is a huge allergen.

Totally agree with you. This family are first time pet owners. Although, I'm an advocate for rescue, why would you put these little girls in that situation. We know that rescues can at times come with their own set of issues. What a wonderful gift for the Obama girls.

[ferraritiffie]

I think it has to do with Obama's daughters allergies, and how long it's taken them to get a dog since getting to the white house. I think it's a good idea to get a pup that's been trained a bit. I think this is Obama's very first dog ever, so it would be nice to be able to read books on the standard and what to expect. I'm not sure they would have the time to deal with behavior issues that an abused or not used to humans dog would create. I think it's smart of them to get their first dog in this way.

[kalina82]

i think its great the first family got their dog from a breeder. They had specific requirements because of the kids and they did their research. Isn't this what we tell people all the time on here??

I hope they all have a wonderful life in the white house and can't wait to read about them in the news. I saw a picture of the pup this morning and he is a cutie!

[Saleswman]

Why all the hulabaloo. In the course of my day, why is it important what dog is adopted by the Obama's? And the name....surely to goodness he was not named that because it is the president's initials???? Please don't tell me that.....I would hate to think there was any narcicism in the White House.

I am all about RESCUE.....and I do participate; any attention on helping disadvantaged animals find homes is wonderful....and I agree that this would be the proper time to show his support of these efforts.......but, he choose not to do that. I do understand the dog being a "gift" but, not sure I believe that this poor dog was truly a "rescue" because he was brought back to his owner.......I think we are spinning that fact a little to thin.....


I hope I did not offend anyone by my lack of compassion about the "pet in the White House", what is much more important to me is what is being done about job losses, taxes, war, crime.....victims of disasters.....etc.....more attention to helping our neighbors, or helping your friends pay their mortgage, or finding a job......

Yea, its all relative.....but, he too had a choice......to rescue, or NOT to rescue.....to adopt or NOT to adopt. Oh, this was a "gift" I forgot.


and I will get off my bandwagon for the day.....

[KSV]

Originally Posted by juliaw04

To be honest, I think we should just be happy that two little girls get the opportunity to experience the joy that a dog can bring to life. In my opinion, there are bigger issues out there to worry about than whether or not the president's puppy is a rescue.

I agree with you!!!.. we should not be quick to judge people...

[phfgkl]

I agree, what kind of dog and where he gets his dog from is his and his families decision, but, we also have to remember, although the animal shelter will adopt dogs out to people with kids, most rescues won't. Rescues that won't adopt out dogs to other people with kids can't adopt out to Mr Obama just because he's President, or that would be discrimination.

[ChantalB]

The Portuguese water dog is a great breed. Teddy play with one sometime in the park and I like him a lot.

IMO

I think it is a personal choice and i am just happy he didn't got the dog from a pet store or from a commercial breeder.

[jrsygal37]

Just to clarify why I posted that I was disappointed; My reasoning for being disappointed is because it was all over the headlines that the First Family had planned on ADOPTING rather then going through a breeder and for that reason I feel disappointed. It is a family's choice as to where they get their dog but it does feel like a let down since it was initially said that the intention was to adopt. And I do feel like some that a spin was put on this whole thing just to cover up the fact that he changed his mind. Just my .02. Elaine

[TyraandMrJ]

I can't really be disapointed as this is as close to rescue. {How about labeling it private rescue.} I've seen alot of breeders having to do just that. This breed is not a poplar breed, can be hard to find,and hard to work with. I think O getting a young rescue for a fast paced family. and getting it trained is a good if not great idea. I'm abit sad that the first home did not work out for the pup but the second can take care of it.

Speaking of history,how many Presidents or even VP's had rescues? I think President O,did well sticking to his guns waiting til the time was right and researching the breed before hand should give them some kudos. I seem to remember not long ago a President bending over about a first dog and chucking out the first cat, I think it was Socks. That should have been cause for censure. Seem to remeber that the dog ended badly.


{PS I did vote for Obama but was more I can't stand the other guy more thing.}

[QuickSilver]

AFAIK, all of the Presidential dogs have been from breeders. To me, that's the point though - it would be nice if Obama led the way in something that I believe had to be relatively simple. It's not a given that if you get a rescue, you have years of rehabilitative work ahead of you. The shelter I work at generally gets mixed breeds, but the large majority of the dogs are perfectly friendly and well adjusted. Most just need work on their leash manners.

I have nothing against ordinary people going to a breeder, but Obama could have done a lot for unwanted animals in this country with such a simple gesture. It makes me sad.

[TyraandMrJ]

Okay but if you go by that point He'd have to endanger his daughters {not sure if both have alleriges} ,so to make rescues all over the World happy ,they'd have to fore go a dog, or go with this,I should think rescues would be happy givin the fact,he's still suporting by WORDS and money rescues. He could have gotten a doodle thingy from a rescue sure, but would that make everyone happy. No, simply put Danged if you do and Danged if you don't. It'a breed the Family likes, it works for them. it is in all purposes a rescue or second home dog. They are making a large donation to the rescues in DC,{can't remmeber which one} Which is better then alot of Presidents/VPs or other worthies in DC.

Good for them, atleast it's not a another starlet who thinks small dogs make great purses.as soon as it's no longer cool boots them to a nana who them lets fido and fluffy have a ton of babies. {Paris Hilton},{Brittany Spears}

[QuickSilver]

Why would he have to endanger his daughters? I'm sure that SOMEWHERE in the U.S., there is a non-crazy PWD in a rescue. Maybe not a puppy, but I'm sure there were young dogs available.

Anyway, I hold Barrack Obama to a higher standard of behavior than Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. I mean, it would be great for them to get rescue dogs, but it's not the same as the leader of the free world doing it.

I'm not planning to march on Washington or anything, I just think a huge opportunity was lost here, and it's one that he created on his own by announcing they would get a rescue.

I hope maybe next year they get another dog, and that one is a rescue.