Crate-gate: Seamus Romney defected after infamous rooftop car ride

 
How's the air up there, Mitt? Feel like hanging-out on the roof while we make a 12 hour jaunt to Ontario? I didn't think so...

In case you missed the nightmarish tale of Mitt Romney's family vacation in '83, here's how it went down:

The Romney clan piled into the family station wagon for their annual 12 hour trek from Boston to Ontario. Things being a bit snug inside, Mitt made the executive decision to put the family dog, Seamus, in a pet carrier and strap it to the roof of the car. To make the voyage even more enjoyable for his pet, Mitt made a windshield for the crate.

During the ride, one of the kids alerted Dad that there was a brown liquid dripping down the back window, so Mitt calmly pulled off of the highway and into a gas station where he hosed down the dog and the car, put Seamus back in his penthouse perch, and carried on.

Okay, I get that things were different in the 80's, no seat-belt laws and certainly not the array of products or safety standards for pet travel that we have today but come on...Seamus was clearly in distress (thus the dripping brown liquid) so what does Mitt do? Hose the poor guy off and stick him right back on the roof? You're one frigid fur-father, Mr. Romney.

According to Dr. Russell Cumming, a professor of aerospace engineering at California Polytechnic State University, "He would constantly feel a little less than 3 pounds pressing on his head for the entire trip.

Chances are the windshield would only protect the front of the dog, but the air flowing around the windshield would buffet the side of the dog -- that would be tiring," said Cummings. "My wife's a vet, and she would be more worried by the dehydration of the dog's eyes under those conditions."

We've also learned that Mr. Romney may have left an important detail out of his tale-telling...according to a trusted Politicker tipster, Mitt's sons told reporters that Seamus ran away once they'd reached their vacation destination. Who can blame him?! But wait, Romney's wife, Ann, told reporters that Seamus made it to Ontario in one piece and went on to live to a "ripe old age." Which version is true?

Whether Seamus defected or stuck around for more "good-times" with the family, there's no denying that he was terrified, tired and dehydrated after 12 hours on the roof. If that's Mitt's idea of a fun-filled family vacation, I'd rather let the vet pull a tooth without anesthetic, thank you very much.

Check-out the new Mutt Romney Blues video

 

^{Bo Obama's Dog Blog sources: ABC News, Mediaite, Politicker}

Green goods for a smaller eco-pawprint

Well color me green and call me Leif! I've learned some disturbing facts about Mother Earth and the dire state of her health. Did you know that if the entire world lived like the average American, we’d need 5 planets to provide enough resources? And that recycling one ton of paper saves 17 trees, 2 barrels of oil, 4,100 kilowatts of energy, 3.2 cubic  yards of landfill space and 60 pounds of air pollution? Mind-boggling, isn't it?

Buying pet supplies that are eco-friendly is one way to shrink your pet's ecological pawprint. To help you get started, I've listed some of my favorite eco-friendly products.

Aroma Paws Chemical Free Grooming & Lifestyle Pet Products
Aroma Paws offers all-natural luxury shampoos, vegan conditioners, organic washes, odor neutralizing solutions and soy candles All chemical free, eco-friendly, bio-degradable and safe on lawns. Shampoos available in 9 fragrances. Pet Secret Shopper Review

FUR+BODY Organic Petcare
Essential oils developed from a vegan, botanical platform; free from chemicals or harsh preservatives; packaged in fully recyclable bottles of 25% post-consumer resin and boxes produced from 65-85% post-consumer recycled materials. Made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

M&J Essentials Holistic Grooming Products
Grooming products free of sulfates, parabens, synthetic fragrances, DEA and TEA. Packaged in reusable or recycled materials and bottles made with PCR (Post Consumer Regrind) plastic. M&J is family owned and made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

West Paw Design's Eco-Friendly Dog Toys
Made and manufactured locally, all products are created with minimal environmental impact. West Paw Design uses non-toxic, organic or recyclable materials and reduces waste by using as much raw product as possible. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Imperial Cat Scratch 'n Shapes
Corrugated cardboard scratcher/lounger combos comprised of 100% recycled materials & 100% recyclable. Comes with organic catnip. Available in more than 80 shapes. Made in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

Modern Cat Studio's Bamboleos
Bamboleos (Spanish for rock, roll, and wobble) turn recycled wine corks into stylish cat toys. Handmade using natural cork, sturdy cotton twine, and felt endcaps stuffed with fine-grind organic catnip. The perfect size for chasing and carrying, plus the corks give them a little bounce. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Planet Dog Wood Chuck Orbee-Tuff RecycleBALL
The Wood Chuck" is made from recycled cork scraps and the RecycleBALL is made from "regrind" - 100% 1st quality Orbee-Tuff® material that would otherwise be discarded. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

 

Canine Caviar Venison Antlers
Eco friendly and long lasting dental chews. Canine Caviar Venison Antlers are cut from seasonally shed racks that are naturally dropped in Oregon’s forest. Long lasting chews that help maintain dental health and are a great source of chondroiton sulfate which aids in maintaining hip and joint health. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Onesta Organics
Onesta Organics’ pet treats are whole-food based, handmade, raw dehydrated meat, all-natural and certified organic. Family owned and operated, Onesta Organics is the first both certified organic and Green America-approved pet food manufacturer in the USA. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Shake A Paw Greetings
The Shake a Paw Greeting's team are expanding their relationships with local farmers, using more organic ingredients and sourcing supplies as close to home as possible. The product packaging is entirely recyclable. They compost, recycle and strive to be more water and energy efficient. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Arm & Hammer Essentials Clumping Cat Litter
Formulated with a blend of 100% natural corn fibers that combine with ARM & HAMMER® Baking Soda for instant, natural, odor elimination. Same number of uses as clumping clay litter but half the weight. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Farm Dog Natural Wellness Products
98% of all Farm Dog product ingredients and packaging are sourced within the USA (mainly Elmwood, TN). They support small farms and sustainable sources first and Farm Dog's Full Circle Program encourages consumers to return used Farm Dog product packaging so that it can be used again. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Fur-Zoff Pet Hair Remover
Removes pet hair from carpet and fabrics with a light, sweeping motion. Fur-Zoff is made from 90% post-consumer recycled materials (the stuff you put into your curbside recycling box). It’s also hypoallergenic and odor free. Pet Secret Shopper Review

Olive Green Goods
Olive Green Goods offers environmentally-friendly products that are toxin and carcinogen free and as safe for the humans in your home as they are for your canine companions. All orders ship in low-impact packaging, from recycled boxes to biodegradable packing peanuts. Pet Secret Shopper Review

 

The learn more about your pet's eco-pawprint and what you can do to reduce it, check-out my Ecological Pawprint Chart.

^{Bo Obama Dog Blog sources - PetSecretShopper.com,  WebEcoist}

Dear Bo, do your Secret Service agents make you itch?

I love optical illusions and this Frontline ad is one of the most clever marketing ploys I've seen in awhile! Frontline painted this billboard on the floor of a busy mall...now who's the pest??

_{Bo Obama Dog Blog}

Don't forget about Malia Obama's dog allergies

We shouldn't forget that allergies will limit the kind of dog President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle choose for daughters Malia and Sasha. An allergist makes the point that there's no such thing as an allergy-free dog, so the new Obama dog will have to be one that produces small amounts of dander.

"Unfortunately, there's not a 100 percent allergy-free furry animal in the world," Dr. Kimberly Ricaurte, an allergist and immunologist, told The Morning Call. "Any breeder who tells you differently is wrong."

Her suggestion: a Poodle or Terrier.

OK, so maybe the girls will sneeze -- but not too much.

Tips for the Obamas on dogs and allergies

Can the Obamas really have it all – a shelter puppy that’s cute and cuddly but won’t irritate their daughter Malia’s allergies?

It’s possible, if the new First Family does its homework and takes a few precautions. But they'll have plenty of time -- at least two months.

Sunday, on CBS' "60 Minutes," President-elect Barack Obama and his wife Michelle said they won't be getting a new pet until they move into the White House in January. Their daughters, Malia and Sasha, would prefer not to wait.

"They're ready for us to get a dog now," Michelle Obama said.

It's OK to wait. The better to learn a few things about dogs and allergies.

First, they should know that that there’s no such thing as a hypoallergenic dog. But it’s possible to find a dog – even a mixed breed – that produces less dander and might find a happy home in the White House.

Also, it’s not just dander. Dogs produce a protein in their saliva and urine that produces an allergic reaction in some people, said Nancy Peterson, a spokeswoman for the Humane Society of the United States who has experienced allergy problems in the past.

“I’d avoid breeds or individual dogs that tend to have skin problems, because then they’re scratching and there’s dander flying and sticking to walls and drapes,” Peterson said. “If you see a dog that’s licking a lot, that’s saliva (being produced).

“If anything, I’d go for a smaller dog because it has less skin,” and therefore may produce less dander.

Other things the Obamas can do: eliminate some curtains and drapes where sticky skin cells are likely to cling; have carpets, their pet’s bedding and anything else the dog might come in contact with cleaned frequently. The bedrooms where the Obama girls sleep should also be a dog-free zone.

There are more tips about pets and allergies on the Humane Society’s Web site.

A puppy for President-elect Obama?

President-elect Obama has a lot of work ahead of him, but probably no job is more important at this moment than picking the right family dog.

In his acceptance speech, Obama said his daughters, Malia and Sasha, had "earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." Even Vice-President-elect Joe Biden said his wife gave him the OK to buy a dog if he and Obama won the election.

A few weeks ago, I wrote that because Malia, 10, has allergies, the Obamas will have a limited selection of breeds from which to choose - the Poodle, Soft-Coated Wheaton Terrier, Bichon Frise, Miniature Schnauzer and Chinese Crested are all considered good breeds for people with allergies, although there is no such thing as a truly hypoallergenic dog. (In August, the American Kennel Club  conducted an online poll, and the Poodle was the winner.)

But because the family has chosen to adopt rather than buy - a great decision, one that may lead to more prospective dog owners visiting their local shelters - they might have to look for a mixed breed that produces less dander. Dogs that have short hair and shed very little might fit well, even if they're mixed. A Maltese or Shih Tzu mix would produce less shedding and would seem like a good size for children who are old enough to learn about responsible pet ownership.

Malia has told her parents that she would like a Goldendoodle, a hybrid that is part Golden Retriever, part Poodle. Although not recognized by the American Kennel Club, it is growing in popularity and is considered a great family dog.

It's not likely they'll find a Goldendoodle (pictured above) at a shelter, but perhaps the Obamas can find a pet that their girls will love - and will encourage others to discover the benefits of rescuing a shelter dog.