PETA offers pet advice to the Obamas: Save a shelter dog

Barack Obama is supposed to have something like, what, 300 economic advisors. But as yet his family doesn't have one single pet.

Unlike two out of three American households, there's no dog or cat or other living creature in the Obama home. Nothing. As Hillary Rodham Clinton knew, having a dog is an integral part of the commander-in-chief test. No dog? Likely no White House.

Obama says he has promised his two daughters a dog after the election. And there's been all kinds of speculation and on-line voting about what kind of freaky-looking purebred they might get.

Well, today PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals) offered itself as advisor to the Obamas on what kind of pet to get. Even though no one remembers asking.

In a letter to the couple at the Federal Building in Chicago, PETA President Ingrid Newkirk said:

"No one needs to tell you that this country is proud to be a melting pot and that there is something deeply wrong and elitist about wanting only a purebred dog. Millions of great American mutts -- the dog that should be our national dog -- are set to die in our nation’s extremely overcrowded pounds and shelters for lack of good homes.

"Compassionate people nationwide are choosing to adopt a homeless pound puppy -- a grateful refugee from a society that has not always treated the true 'underdog' kindly -- rather than cater to special interests who do not have dogs' interests at heart.

"Adopting an animal not only saves a life but demonstrates compassion, and the companion-animal overpopulation crisis deserves attention from all Americans.

"Every animal purchased from a breeder or a pet shop takes a home away from a needy animal at an animal shelter, waiting and hoping for a chance at the American dream of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness."

All right, that last paragraph is gonna cost Obama the Westminster and American kennel club votes and the support of all those puppy farms in the Midwest.

But it's a very good point. Why not give a new home to a homeless critter? Set an example for other families. Talk about the American dream. And, like gas, those purebred-pup prices have gotten way out of control anyway.

John McCain, the Republican nominee-to-be, doesn't have to worry about such selections. As The Ticket recently reported, even before running for the White House, he had three mutts, a cat, two turtles, three parakeets and a ferret sharing his Arizona home. As one result, a recent poll shows the Navy veteran leading, 47% to 32%, among pet owners.

What do you think -- purebred or mutt for the Obamas?

-- Andrew Malcolm

Photo credit: Stephan Savoia / Associated Press

Comments

[Alessandro Machi]

Sigh, another example of Hillary Clinton having a much, much better Senate voting record on animal issues than Barack Obama does.

http://www.PROTEST-POSTCARDS.com
http;//www.POSTCARD-BRIGADE.com

lol, animals generally don't like cigarette smoke, maybe Barack Obama is doing the animals a favor by not getting one.

[jim]

Rock is born to a runaway Kenyan dad and a Kansas mother. There is no chance in hell the Obamas will get a purebred dog. My luck with rescue dogs and cats is 100%. Look for a rescue with big ears and a funny name and a photo opportunity and maybe a name the first dog contest.

[Robert Dale]

What do I think?

Do you think?

Is this your contribution to American democracy? Saying that McCain is the better pet owner?

Its not my business and it is not yours. It is not news. His kids should get to choose the kind of dog they want without your two cents. That's what I think.

Why don't you concentrate on saying nice things about your guy instead of this constant dribble of drivel from you about Obama?

[Rags]

I hope for the dogs sake they don't get one. It's obvious they are not animal lovers therefore should not be getting one just because the children want one.

[Casey]

Mutts rule! While I don't always agree w/PETA, this time I'm all for 'em. I suggest an adopt-a-mutt campaign, involving shelters everywhere.

[Robin Cutler-Levine]

I absolutely agree with the PETA suggestion, if the Obamas decide to adopt a 4-legged into their family. But, all good shelters need to determine if the adoptive household is suitable for a pound puppy or kitty. And, maybe this is not a good time to adopt a new family member, especially with all the traveling and relative instability in life. Give the Obamas a chance to get themselves together. Then they can give their love to a furry companion.

[Morgan]

Let the girls pick the dog. I'll bet they could go to a shelter and find just the right pet. Personally, I recommend a cat. Get both?

[I beg to differ]

I think Obama has enough dogs as it is, and all of them are infested with fleas.For example just look at Specter,
Gov. Judas,Ayers,Hanoi Jane.Farrakhan,Robert Mugabe
and the list of low morality individuals goes on.

[dave]

'you are free to do what we tell you.'

the message:
the american dream of 'life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness' is to get your balls cut off and be conditioned to exist in an artificial fantasy world that is not yours. bioengineered at your godly master's whim, so you look exactly like him, to you and him (which makes it easier for him to believe he owns life, and is his own creator too); treated to a bowl of yummy sludge now and then, and educated to irreversible delusion and insanity, and permanent confusion of gods and dogs and tools and fools and human beings. and when you walk your god and master, as he would parade his gloating narcissistic ego, you can both tug at that leash and sniff that poo, and hope and dream you're free, and be thankful or pretend, that you don't know any better. and when you're no longer convenient, you're conveniently disposable.
but freedom is not slavery. happiness is not possible without freedom, and freedom not exercised is lost.

[Dog and pony show]

Like the true elitist he is Obama refuses to do like most of
us....reminds me of his lappel pin ordeal . Why not give his kids a full set of drums with a 200000 watts amplifier?

[h.w.]

There is a place in the world for both shelter dogs and purebred dogs from good, reputable breeders. Any breeder worth their salt is happy to encourage a prospective owner to adopt from a shelter - in fact, many purebred dogs can be found in the shelter, waiting for a home.

What his family should get depends on what they want. A purebred provides predictability in looks, conformation and personality. The family health history is provided. Basically, you know what you're getting.

A shelter dog can be a gamble - you never really know with a mutt puppy what they will turn out like as an adult. Will they turn out to be huge? Smaller than expected? High strung or laid back? With a careful choice, he will have wonderful animal. The shelter provides an incredible variety to choose from, and all of the animals desperately need a home.

Either way it goes, waiting for the campaign to be over is a wise decision on their part. A pet needs a stable environment to thrive, no matter what it is.

[Chuck]

PETA has a lot of nerve suggesting adopting from a shelter. PETA takes dogs in promising to place them, and then destroys the majority of them before they even have a chance to be placed. Based on PETA's actions, Newkirk's record is very clear: she'd rather have a dog or cat euthanized than have it placed in a home.

As far as the Obamas go, waiting until after the election is the smart thing to do. I still wonder about their motivation but it is probably non-political. (I'd question motive whether it be republican or democrat as a first time dog owner and running for president.)

Having Mrs. Clinton suggest a dog is necessary to be in the White House shows she was all about politics when the Clintons got Buddy, the Labrador Retriever, who was killed in an accident, yet the Clintons never replaced him. I wonder who Clinton replaced when he lost Monica?

The Obamas should choose what they want, even though liberals, like the Obamas, are more than lilely beholding to PETA. There is nothing wrong with buying from a quality hobby breeder, or adopting from a pure-bred rescue group or shelter - mutt or pure-breed.

Pet stores, and back-yard breeders - VERY BAD and WRONG. This is the only thing PETA has right.

[anonymous]

I have a $15,000 free dog from the local animal shelter. I love animals as much as the next guy.

BUT, Sorry PETA, you have absolutely no right to dictate what kind of animal a family chooses for thier home.

You are way out of line sending a letter like that to anyone, let alone a political candidate, to get publicity.

[Chuck]

A $15,000 free dog from a shelter? WOW! What kind of dog is that!

I agree that PETA has some nerve taking advantage of a political candidate like that.

[anonymous]

Chuck,

We think she's a cross between a deer and a kangaroo. We got her when she was 1 1/2 years old. She was abused in her former life, so she panic attacks (on certain triggers) and bites into whatever is near when she freaks. Bed, couch, carpet, drapes, jacuzzi cover, BBQ, etc, etc, etc. Plus two knee surgeries. We've had her for 5 years and she's much, much better.

[N.E. BodybutHillary]

What would an Andy Malcolm blog thread be without at least one mention of Hillary Clinton, even if has nada to do with the subject? We may never know. Keep that candle burning Andy, you have a long long wait in store for you.

[Doliza Hobstetter]

The family should pick the dog. Kids with their dreamy thoughts of a puppy, and parent knowing the reality of responsibility. I'm sure the will make a well informed choice........

wait a minute how did we get here? I'm still paying almost 3.00 for gas, we're at war and we give @#$% about their dog choice please!