Bear is a Portuguese water dog mix available for adoption at Homeless Pets Foundation in Atlanta, GA.
Michelle Obama tells PEOPLE magazine the First Family has settled on a breed and date for their long-promised dog adoption.The Associated Press reports:
The family wants a rescue Portuguese Water Dog who is the appropriate age and match.This breed is not common in shelters -- there are only two adoptable Portuguese water dog mixes listed on Petfinder right now (Wema, who'd had a major PR effort behind her, has already been adopted from the Martin County Humane Society in Fairmont, MN)."Temperamentally they're supposed to be pretty good," Mrs. Obama said. "From the size perspective, they're sort of middle of the road -- it's not small, but it's not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that's where we're leaning." (Read the full story.)
The Obamas' situation is common among adopters: They know what kind of dog they want and when they want it. But the reality is, their ideal dog may simply not be available in a shelter by their deadline -- and if the right dog IS there, the adoption process might not fit their timetable.
As many posters to this blog have pointed out -- and even Petfinder
staffers have experienced -- rescue groups may take a while to respond
to inquiries (although I doubt this will be the case for the Obamas),
and once they do, the adoption screening process can be somewhat
involved, depending on the organization.
No potential adopter should take this personally. Even the co-founder of Petfinder had to give references -- which were checked -- when he applied to adopt a dog (and a special-needs dog at that).
My point is, I hope the Obamas, and other adopters, are patient enough to stick to their guns about adopting and don't give up and buy a dog just so they can make their April deadline. My advice to anyone who wants a dog with less waiting is that there are a few ways to make that happen:
Previous entries:
Canadian Petfinder member offers Obama doodle puppy
Thanks to the Obamas for choosing a dog responsibly
Obamas narrow dog search; plan to start 'looking at shelters'
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
No potential adopter should take this personally. Even the co-founder of Petfinder had to give references -- which were checked -- when he applied to adopt a dog (and a special-needs dog at that).
My point is, I hope the Obamas, and other adopters, are patient enough to stick to their guns about adopting and don't give up and buy a dog just so they can make their April deadline. My advice to anyone who wants a dog with less waiting is that there are a few ways to make that happen:
- Go to your local open-access shelter (often your region's animal-control facility), where the turnaround time is faster.
- Broaden your definition of the perfect pet to include adults, mixes and special-needs dogs.
- Open your mind to breeds that are more common in shelters, such as pit bulls. Trendy breeds are often highly sought-after and get adopted soon after they're posted on Petfinder.
Previous entries:
Canadian Petfinder member offers Obama doodle puppy
Thanks to the Obamas for choosing a dog responsibly
Obamas narrow dog search; plan to start 'looking at shelters'
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
Oops! Looks like they went out a bought a dog from a breeder.
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2009/04/11/AR2009041102484_pf.html
So you can nix that campaign promise. Good job, Barack. I hope that when your choice ultimately results in the "fashionable" purchase of thousands of Portuguese Water Dog puppies throughout America by poorly informed new owners, that you're willing ot write up another massive stimulus package to help support all the shelters and rescue organizations innundated with rejected, homeless pups.
Y'know, Joe Biden chose not to adopt and instead bought a pure-bred as well even while the Presidential adoption matter was being discussed: http://news.yahoo.com/s/politico/20081211/pl_politico/16498
...but at least he never went back on his word like you did, Barack.
That is very sweet that Obama is going to get a dog.
First of all, Whatever poor dog that Mr. Obama chooses will be right back at the shelter as soon as he's out of office. To him, a dog is only another political prop.
Second, on the suject of President Obama, I trust that you all have seen his intention of removing the tax deduction for charitable contributions. Bad news for all fine organizations like this one that rely of contributions.
PORTUGUESE WATER DOGS HAVE A VERY OILY TEXTURE TO THEIR COAT.PAR FOR THE BREED.BUT IF PRESIDENT OBAMA ISN'T GOING TO WORK THE DOG,I FEEL IT'S THE WRONG BREED FOR HIS FAMILY.HE SHOULD RECONSIDER GETTING THE LABRADOODLE.BUTANOTHER BREED TO CONSIDER IS THE POODLE,TOY,MINIATURE OR STANDARD DEPENDING ON THE SIZE PREFERENCE.THEY ARE ALSO HYPOALLERGENIC PLUS THEY DON'T SHED.GRANTED THEY WOULD NEED FREQUENT CLIPPING/GROOMING BUT BEING THE PRESIDENTS DOG WILL HAVE ITS PERKS.AND THEY ARE A VERY GOOD DOG FOR CHILDREN.
portuguese water dogs have a very oily texture to their coat.for the reason their being a water dog.if president obama isn't going to work the dog it's the wrong breed for his family.i think they should reconsider the labradoodle again.especially since the coat texture is much nicer to the touch.my personal preference would be the poodle.minature or standard size.they are hypoallergenic also and a very good breed for children.plus they don't shed.of course they would need frequent c lipping/grooming but being the presidents dog has its perks.
Why can't he get another "hypoallergenic" dog? His daughter Malia wants a Labradoodle/Goldendoodle anyway, and there are more of those in rescue than PWD's.
c`mon barockin, wassssuuuppppp? choose the dog .That little boy or girl will enhanse your life ,those of your daughters and wife. My littlLove Mojoe boy Mojo is really someone I can talk to. He does not judge he just is. Thank You sir. Love Mojo&Lisa xo