Some interesting news from the Los Angeles Times, a lovely piece about mutts from the Philadelphia Inquirer, and terrific coverage on the new CNN Headline News show, "Issues, with Jane Velez-Mitchell."
Those of us who watched Obama's first press conference as president-elect heard him answer the following when asked what kind of dog the family was "going to buy.":
"With respect to the dog, this is a major issue. I think it's generated more interest on our Web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
A mutt like me -- how that warmed many of our hearts!
While the tenor of his answer was beautiful, he was missing a couple of facts. But I know various groups have been filling him in over the last week or so!
First, what most of us in the animal protection world know, is that while Obama was correct to say that a lot of shelter dogs are mutts, he was incorrect to think that there might be any shortage of purebreds. About twenty percent of shelter dogs are purebreds, and there will be millions of dogs in shelters between now and January. So finding a shelter dog who the girls love, who belongs to one of the many breeds considered hypoallergenic, should not be difficult.
The other factual error is about a point that I believe was unknown to the vast majority of people -- myself included. It was not until I read Shari Roan's November 12 Los Angeles Times blog headed, "Obamas won't find a 'hypoallergenic' dog'" that I learned that "according to advice released today from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology," (AAAAI) apparently '"there is no truly hypoallergenic dog."
The blog paraphrases the organization's statement: "It's a misconception that dog allergies are caused by the dog's hair. Allergies are caused by protein from the animal's dander, which can be found in dead skin cells, saliva and urine....Some dog breeds are considered allergy friendly, says the AAAAI. But that's because they're groomed more frequently. If the White House doesn't have a pet groomer on staff, it will soon."
That fascinating little blog, with a link to the AAAAI for more information, is on line at
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/11/obamas-wont-fin.html or at this Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/629dfu
Saturday's (November 15) Los Angeles Times front page included an article, by Carla Hall, headed, "This race for the White House begins at the dog pound."
It opens:
"Wanted: Presidential First Puppy. Should be less than a year old. Only hypoallergenic dogs need apply. Poodles and doodles especially welcome. Yorkies, bichon frises, Cairn terriers, Westies, cockapoos and wheaten terriers also encouraged. Must be doing time in a city or county shelter, foster home or private rescue facility. Will be vetted by incoming first daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10. Position is highly competitive."
Hall gives us information on the rescue situation, "Petfinder.com, citing Malia's allergies, blogged this week that its database included about 5,000 dogs of hypoallergenic breeds."
And she writes:
"Obama's declaration last week that his family would prefer a shelter dog has bestowed upon homeless creatures in private rescue operations and municipal shelters -- once known as lowly dog pounds -- a respectability that animal welfare professionals, activists and celebrity supporters have spent decades trying to convey."
The article, which includes quotes from various rescue folks about the impact of Obama's words, is a lovely read, which you'll find on line at
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-obamadog15-2008nov15,0,1817929.story
or at this Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/689qsu
The Los Angeles Times takes letters at letters@latimes.com
"By bringing a rescue dog to the White House, the Obamas could set an example for all Americans and throw the country's animal shelters a bone. Improving the plight of homeless dogs and cats is certainly not on the top of Obama's daunting list, but one small compassionate act would demonstrate that, when given an opportunity to protect the most vulnerable, we should seize it."
You'll find that delightful piece on line at:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20081112_Send_a_signal__Adopt_a_mutt.html
Or at this Tiny URL http://tinyurl.com/583fby
The Philadelphia Inquirer takes letters at Inquirer.Letters@phillynews.com
Those of us who watched Obama's first press conference as president-elect heard him answer the following when asked what kind of dog the family was "going to buy.":
"With respect to the dog, this is a major issue. I think it's generated more interest on our Web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but, obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things I think is a pressing issue on the Obama household."
A mutt like me -- how that warmed many of our hearts!
While the tenor of his answer was beautiful, he was missing a couple of facts. But I know various groups have been filling him in over the last week or so!
First, what most of us in the animal protection world know, is that while Obama was correct to say that a lot of shelter dogs are mutts, he was incorrect to think that there might be any shortage of purebreds. About twenty percent of shelter dogs are purebreds, and there will be millions of dogs in shelters between now and January. So finding a shelter dog who the girls love, who belongs to one of the many breeds considered hypoallergenic, should not be difficult.
The other factual error is about a point that I believe was unknown to the vast majority of people -- myself included. It was not until I read Shari Roan's November 12 Los Angeles Times blog headed, "Obamas won't find a 'hypoallergenic' dog'" that I learned that "according to advice released today from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology," (AAAAI) apparently '"there is no truly hypoallergenic dog."
The blog paraphrases the organization's statement: "It's a misconception that dog allergies are caused by the dog's hair. Allergies are caused by protein from the animal's dander, which can be found in dead skin cells, saliva and urine....Some dog breeds are considered allergy friendly, says the AAAAI. But that's because they're groomed more frequently. If the White House doesn't have a pet groomer on staff, it will soon."
That fascinating little blog, with a link to the AAAAI for more information, is on line at
http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/booster_shots/2008/11/obamas-wont-fin.html or at this Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/629dfu
Saturday's (November 15) Los Angeles Times front page included an article, by Carla Hall, headed, "This race for the White House begins at the dog pound."
It opens:
"Wanted: Presidential First Puppy. Should be less than a year old. Only hypoallergenic dogs need apply. Poodles and doodles especially welcome. Yorkies, bichon frises, Cairn terriers, Westies, cockapoos and wheaten terriers also encouraged. Must be doing time in a city or county shelter, foster home or private rescue facility. Will be vetted by incoming first daughters, Sasha, 7, and Malia, 10. Position is highly competitive."
Hall gives us information on the rescue situation, "Petfinder.com, citing Malia's allergies, blogged this week that its database included about 5,000 dogs of hypoallergenic breeds."
And she writes:
"Obama's declaration last week that his family would prefer a shelter dog has bestowed upon homeless creatures in private rescue operations and municipal shelters -- once known as lowly dog pounds -- a respectability that animal welfare professionals, activists and celebrity supporters have spent decades trying to convey."
The article, which includes quotes from various rescue folks about the impact of Obama's words, is a lovely read, which you'll find on line at
http://www.latimes.com/news/nationworld/nation/la-me-obamadog15-2008nov15,0,1817929.story
or at this Tiny URL: http://tinyurl.com/689qsu
The Los Angeles Times takes letters at letters@latimes.com
"By bringing a rescue dog to the White House, the Obamas could set an example for all Americans and throw the country's animal shelters a bone. Improving the plight of homeless dogs and cats is certainly not on the top of Obama's daunting list, but one small compassionate act would demonstrate that, when given an opportunity to protect the most vulnerable, we should seize it."
You'll find that delightful piece on line at:
http://www.philly.com/inquirer/opinion/20081112_Send_a_signal__Adopt_a_mutt.html
Or at this Tiny URL http://tinyurl.com/583fby
The Philadelphia Inquirer takes letters at Inquirer.Letters@phillynews.com
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