Wema, adoptable at the Martin County Humane Society in Minnesota, may be a Portuguese water dog, but she's all-American!
We've been reporting for months on the Obamas' efforts to find a dog. Apparently, the family has gotten closer to selecting a breed. Here's an excerpt from the President-elect's interview on This Week with George Stephanopoulos:STEPHANOPOULOS: What kind of a dog are we getting and when are we getting it?I'm keeping my fingers crossed that the Obamas adopt. And while I know I'll get piled on by commenters who think the decision is none of my business, I still think the family would set a great example by making a shelter pet First Dog, and could save the lives of countless homeless pets as a result. (Besides, the President-elect has talked about it publicly and in detail, so I don't think it's an invasion of their privacy to have an opinion.)
OBAMA: The -- they seem to have narrowed it down to a labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound.
STEPHANOPOULOS: A medium sized.
OBAMA: Medium sized dog, and so, we're now going to start looking at shelters to see when
one of those dogs might come up.
STEPHANOPOULOS: So, you're closing in on it?
OBAMA: We're closing in on it. This has been tougher than finding a commerce secretary.
UPDATE: Cast your vote ... for the breed you think the Obamas should adopt! Check out AnimalPlanet.com's Presidential Puppy poll.
Learn more about hypoallergenic dogs and living with pet allergies ... and urge the Obamas to adopt.
Previous entries:Joe Biden says he'll adopt a shelter dog!
Disappointing news: Joe Biden buys a puppy
On Obama, hypoallergenic dogs, goldendoodles and allergies
Hey Obama, you CAN adopt a labradoodle!
Obama's puppy and more good news for animals
Nominate a Petfinder dog for the Obamas!
HSUS urges Obama to cast a vote for homeless pets
Hi Polprav,
Thanks for asking. You may quote our blog with a link back to us, provided you only take a section of the post and not the whole post. An example of this can be found in how we cited this entry: http://www.petfinder.com/blog/2009/10/20/
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Hello from Russia!
Can I quote a post in your blog with the link to you?
The internet blogs are picking up momentum regarding Wema...what a geat thing to see! The New York Times article by Mark Leibovich Jan 15, 2009 suggests it will be hard to find a Portuguese water dog thru shelters as noted by a few of his sources...and yet, here is one waiting and needs a chance. That article's blog is allready bubbling about Wema. I agree with an earier poster here...spread the word about Wema and help a shelter dog find a great home, and have a possible chance of becoming a first dog of the White House and making history!
We are in our 60s, do a lot of travalling & camping. We have a miniature pincher/chihuahua mixed & he goes evey where with us.
We've had mutts, shepdogs, dobermans, boston terriers & I think we have found a dog that fits us best. He loves to go for rides, he loves to camp & after having him for 2 years, it still amazes me how smart he is. For example, house training was a breeze. He let's us know when he has to go out but if we have to leave him home for a few hours or it's in the middle of the night & he has to go, well we puppy pad trained him & keep one where he can go to if necessary.
I think that they ought to get both a small one for the girls and a big one for himn he really needs a big dog.
I emailed the president-elect when the story first broke (and there was some doubt expressed that one could find a hypoallergenic breed in a shelter) and recommended petfinders.com to help narrow their search for a family dog. Who knows if it was ever brought to the Obamas' attention but worth a shot!
Yes, adopting is a great way to give this country and its homeless animals HOPE !
That dog WEMA seems to be perfect.
I love it that the Obamas are considering this option, puppy mill dogs only LOOK expensive.
Show us now that you mean what you say ....ADOPT
It is awesome you will select a shelter dog and great you will get one suited to your kid's allergies. But what about a dog for yourself??? Go out of the norm as you have with your whole campaign, adopt a pitbull!!! They are the most loving, loyal, and affectionate dogs around. Wipe out the bad rap and show America what this breed is all about!!! The Marine Corps mascot dog many years ago was a Pitbull, a loyal lifesaver!!! Undo the bad rap some celebrities have given this dog with their irresponsible dog ownership and show America the true tempermant of this dog!!! You were a Pitbull in your campaign, why not pay respect to a well deserved breed??? They are the pups most likely killed in huge numbers in the shelters due to the misconception of society. If you really want to save a shelter dog, save the one most likely to be killed!!!
WEMA for the Whitehouse!
Read about her campaign here!
http://www.fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/503145.html?nav=5003
Does anyone know if the Obama's are aware of this dog? The Sentinel article said about a campaign to make this more visible to the Obama's...what is actually being done for that? Does anyone know?
FAIRMONT SENTINEL - The Obamas search for a family dog to accompany them to the White House has garnered national attention.
Today, a dog named Wema will draw that attention to Fairmont.
From the beginning, the Obamas have wanted to adopt a dog from an animal shelter. With their daughter Malia's allergies, the Obamas needed a dog with a hypoallergenic coat.
On Sunday, Pres.-elect Barack Obama announced his family had narrowed its preferences to a labradoodle or Portuguese water dog.
"We have a Portuguese water dog," said Cindilee Connor of the Martin County Humane Society.
A search on www.petfinder.com - one of the most popular methods for adopting shelter dogs in the United States - reveals only four Portuguese water dogs are available for adoption from U.S. shelters.
Connor received a call this week from Carole Davis, an animal rights activist, actress, author and spokesperson for Companion Animal Protection Society, based in Los Angeles. The organization found Wema online and wanted more information. They asked Cindilee to have the dog professionally groomed and photographed.
They also asked to rename her from "Blackie" - highly offensive to African-Americans - to Wema, which means "kindness and compassion" in Swahili.
"We're renaming her to give her a shot," Davis said.
Connor described Wema as a loveable, sweet, well-mannered creature that's good with kids and other animals.
"She's going to be a wonderful companion animal for anyone - whether the one to adopt her is the President or your neighbor," she said.
Wema was surrendered to the animal shelter when her family could no longer take care of all their pets. They dropped off two other dogs at the same time.
"People are going through hard times right now," Davis said. "I think this dog is a victim of that."
A campaign begins today to convince the Obamas that Wema - or another shelter dog, if not her - is the right choice. Davis is optimistic the cause will have the support of other major animal rights groups.
"I'm very fortunate in my life and I know a lot of influential people," she said. "Between all of us, we will get the word out there. I don't think this dog can be ignored. All of us in this movement are going to make sure this dog gets seen."
At the same time, the American Kennel Club has also offered its services to the family. The club has endorsed the Portuguese water dog as a better option for an allergy-friendly companion than a labradoodle, and it is pushing for the Obamas to buy a purebred rather than a mixed breed, which supposedly has less predictable coats.
Pushing back, animal advocacy groups are publicizing the large number of purebreds available in shelters. The Humane Society of the United States estimates that 6 million to 8 million dogs and cats enter animal shelters each year - 25 percent of those dogs are purebred.
Davis was interviewed on CNN recently, touting the cause of shelter dogs nationwide as she held her dog, a hypoallergenic purebred Bichon Frise that she adopted from a shelter.
"I wanted - with my friends - to make sure Barack Obama doesn't buy a dog because with one simple act of kindness he can be such an example of hope," Davis said. "... By adopting a dog, he single-handedly will make a difference in the way Americans bring animals into their homes."
Animal welfare groups fear the opposite will take place. If the Obamas decide to buy a dog instead of adopt, the demand for that breed may increase accordingly. Davis has seen the trend happen before when the public has been captivated by a particular breed. Dalmations are just one example after the release of Disney's "101 Dalmations."
"They become really popular and puppy millers start churning them out by the thousands," she said, "and people start buying on a whim and two or three months later when they realize they can't take care of the dogs, they get dumped at a shelter and we have to clean up the mess. It's sad."
No DNA testing has guaranteed Wema is a purebred, but she certainly appears to be, with her curly coat and robust physique. Females typically grow to be 17-21 inches tall and weigh 30-50 pounds. After closely examining the pictures, Davis is confident Wema is a Portuguese water dog.
"Searching for a dog by breed is a little iffy," she added. "And what does it really matter? We're all mutts and this is a country of mutts. That's part of what makes this country so great."
Spread the word - here's the link!
http://www.fairmontsentinel.com/page/content.detail/id/503145.html?nav=5003
Boy Wema would make an excellent dog for the Obamas to adopt! Do they know about her? It makes me want to cry the family had to give up such a beautiful healthy loving animal as they couldn't afford her. Can the shelter or the Petfinder people contact an Obama staff member or mail them the article from the local paper? What a wonderful dog!
At least with this publicity she will probably get adopted even if not by the First Family. My daughter, who has done volunteer work at a private shelter, says that only 7% of dogs get adopted and black dogs have the worst adoption statistics of all. Give Wema a chance!
Please consider your next pet to be a rescue or shelter pet. There are so many deserving animals needing new homes. Stop the overpopulation & RESCUE A LIFE !!!! Please think of all those dogs living in puppy mills that don't have a chance at a normal life. You can help rescues change that by adopting from a rescue or shelter. Thank you
I have been so touched when reading the Sentinel article yesterday about Wema. I have been trying to spread the word myself thru outlets as best I can. I just contacted metro sun times with the info. from the Sentinel, Jinky's homepage and so forth finding online.I first called, they seemed interested in the story, and requested I email the info. and links.
I realize it is for the Obama's to make the choice, but, awareness of Wema maybe of some help. Wema needs a good home, and can't speak for herself...she needs our voices, our connections to help her be known, as well as all other shelter pets.
I am so excited for Wema. To have even garnered the attention of animal activist Carol Davis....it touches my heart so much to know that even in such a small city, big things can be possible for these little ones at shelters.
I aim to please!
There is a Portuguese Water Dog at the Minnesota Humane Society and it was written up in their local paper. President Obama you can rescue/adopt any breed. Please don't buy it will be a major set back for rescue and encourage puppy mills.
please make Wema the dog for Barack Obama. She is a beautiful Portugese water dog at the humane society in Fairmont, MN. she deserves a chance!
http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=49048517740&h=5wbcF&u=c83wF
THERE IS A PORTUGUESE WATER DOG AT THE MINNESOTA HUMANE SOCIETY THAT WAS POSTED ON PETFINDER, PLEASE MAKE HER THE FEATURED DOG. SHE HAD A ARTICLE DONE ABOUT HER IN THE LOCAL PAPER! ALSO SHE WILL BE ON THE NEWS.
I think that they should get the two Bichon Frise. That way each girl could have one. Call Darleen at 216-316-2410 in Cleveland Ohio.