How do you vet a First Puppy?

Cartoonist Barry Blitt shows readers of the New Yorker magazine this week that being picked by the Obamas might be tougher than most dogs think. Read here how the meaning of the word "vetting" is related to dogs.

Everyone's got an opinion on the Obama dog

A lot of people want the Obamas to pick a mutt. Why? Well, a pure-bred puppy might seem a little "stuck up." Then again, a dog with a pedigree would be stylin'. Read what Louisville Courier-Journal readers had to say about the subject here.

First collar for first puppy

Every dog needs a collar, right? Some business students from suburban Chicago competed to design the perfect collar for the new President's first dog -- even though the First Family is still at least a couple of months away from choosing a dog. You can read more about the design and marketing competition in the Daily Herald.

Must-see TV for the Obamas

Before the Obama family sits down to enjoy Thanksgiving dinner, they might want to tune into NBC’s coverage of the National Dog Show, sponsored by the Philadelphia Kennel Club and now a holiday staple. Last year it was watched by 19.2 million viewers.

Of course, like many other dog enthusiasts, we think the President-elect should adopt a shelter or rescue puppy. But the National Dog Show is must-see TV, with some 150 breeds and varieties prancing around the show ring. They might see a breed they like.

The show took place last weekend, so viewers will be seeing a tape of the event, which took place at Reading, Pa. It starts at noon.

“When you’re watching these dogs that all are the best of their breeds in the ring there, it is like watching these thoroughbreds walk down toward the starting gate,’’  John O’Hurley, one of the TV hosts and better known as a semi-regular on the “Seinfeld” TV show, told the Associated Press.

We know Obama is a big college football fan, but maybe he can let daughters Malia and Sasha, whom he promised to buy a dog, have control of the TV remote for a little while.

Another vote against the Scottish Terrier...

From the November 24, 2008 issue of Time magazine.

Mr. President: Can you stop the vet tax?

At times like these, a dog-loving president could come in handy. We wonder if President-elect Barack Obama can step in and help California pet owners.

With the state in a financial crisis, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger wants to broaden the sales and use tax to include such so-called “luxury” items as amusement parks, sporting events, golf and … vet services. Also lumped in with those services are appliance and furniture repair and vehicle repair.

Does any of this make sense? Didn’t think so. I’m not sure where Schwarzenegger’s logic comes from, but when my dogs get sick, I don’t consider a trip to the vet to be a luxury. It’s a necessity. And if you own more than one animal, as my wife and I do, a simple visit for a check-up or a heartworm test could become more costly than it already is.

At a time when many people are surrendering their pets to shelters because they can no longer afford to own them in today’s economy, think how many more are likely to be given up – or how many will simply forego a trip to the vet.

"Our companion animals are family members, and taking care of their health is a responsibility, not a discretionary spending decision like golf or furniture repair," Judie Mancuso, president of Social Compassion in Legislation, said in a statement. If passed by the legislature, the tax would take effect Feb. 1, 2009.

The California Veterinary Medical Association and has asked its 6,000 members to write to the governor to express opposition to the tax, which would be about 9 percent.

What can you do to voice your opposition? Call Gov. Schwarzenegger’s office at 916-445-2841 and tell him that a tax on vet services doesn’t fit his definition of a luxury tax. You can also sign an online petition here.

Do it now because this could become law soon. Then tell us what you think.

 

Obamas' dog is our dog, too

A dog can have a calming effect on its owner, especially if the owner is the President of the United States. And a calm, clear-thinking Chief Executive is what a country needs. So when the Obamas find the right dog to adopt, won't it really be the country's pet? You can find out how by reading this from the Christian Science Monitor.

Obamas should settle in before getting a dog

The new First Family is going to wait a while before picking a dog for their daughters, but how long? Maybe they should put it off until they’re settled into their new digs – namely, the White House – suggests the D.C. Dog Whisperer. Dogs fit in better in calm, stable situations, so it might be advisable for the Obamas to give themselves a chance to get comfortable in their new surroundings. And a puppy needs to know who the leader in the house is. No problem there: He or she will be living with the most powerful person in the world.

Barney Bush's vote for the next White House dog

The Washington Post recently asked Barney Bush, who, along with fellow Scottish Terrier Miss Beazley, currently resides in the White House, for his opinion on what type of dog should succeed him. His answer, administered via his spokeswoman, will not surprise you.

Said Barney, "A Scottish Terrier, of course! We are excellent soccer players, and the South Lawn makes for a one-of-a-kind soccer field. My dark coat and noble brow also help me fit in with the Secret Service agents and the C.A.T. team. And, I don't mean kitty CAT. WOOF."

Should the Obamas consider a Scottish Terrier as the Obama dog? Or would that not be the best choice for a president-elect who campaigned so heavily for change in the White House?

 

Barney and Miss Beazley on the South Lawn
White House photo by Kimberlee Hewitt

Pet food advice for the Obamas

They don't even have a dog yet -- and won't for at least a couple of months -- but President-elect Barack Obama and wife Michelle are already getting advice on dog food: how to read food labels, what ingredients to look for, the difference between "premium" and "choice." There's a lot to learn. When they're ready, they can read more here.