SPCA comments on Obama dog
April 13, 2009
Letter to the Editor:
Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Los Angeles (spcaLA) is dismayed by the decision of the White House to obtain a purebred dog. They cite "the hypo allergenic" quality of the Portuguese Water Dog to break their promise of adopting a shelter dog i.e. "a mutt like me" (President Obama).
There is no such thing as a hypo allergenic dog. There are numerous dogs, poodles, terriers etc. that are as less aggravating to allergies as the water dog. There are millions of such dogs in shelters throughout the country! There was no need to go to a purebred.
Choosing a shelter dog would have saved lives. Americans tend to follow the examples of their leaders whether in fashion, music or planting a vegetable garden. Adopting a shelter dog would have inspired millions of people to do the same which would have provided homes and saved the lives of dogs already in existence rather than encouraging breeders to make more.
This choice will also mark the end of the Portuguese Water Dog for generations to come as unscrupulous breeders and profiteers will indiscriminately breed the dog for a quick, tax free dollar. One need only to look at Collies, Dalmatians, Sheep Dogs showcased in movies and television shows to see the effects of this "copy cat syndrome." Hoards of genetically deranged and sick puppies flooded the market until the breeds were stigmatized.
Humans are not shocked and can speak out when a politician breaks a promise. Shelter animals across the country will continue to wait for hope and weep in silence.
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About the Bloggers
Daily Breeze reporter Donna Littlejohn has shared her homes with a succession of wonderful, funny, and occasionally difficult canines -- Muffin, Fritz, Ellie, Mercy, Pilgrim and now Cowboy, an Australian shepherd-border collie, and Tess, a border collie. From strong-willed terriers to weirdly obsessed Australian shepherds, they've invaded her world with boundless energy, wet noses, muddy paws and soggy tennis balls. But they've really brought so much more than that -- like laughter and joy, some unexpected life lessons, and more than a few tears along the way.
E-mail Donna at donna.littlejohn@dailybreeze.com.
Josh Grossberg grew up with the usual array of animals: goldfish, dogs, hamsters, parakeets and turtles. He now owns the loudest dog in the South Bay(Video: Rocket the Dog) and is the least popular person on his block. He spends his free time in dog parks, pet shops and always has an extra plastic bag in his pocket just in case. He also has a cat.
E-mail Josh at josh.grossberg@dailybreeze.com.
I think we can all agree that it's important to support the local shelters and animal rescue agencies everywhere.
If you really want to help animals in California, the Butte Humane Society (the little shelter with a big heart) is trying to win a national contest for a shelter-makeover - and you can help, simply by voting online.
With the final round of voting in the competition running through Sunday evening, BHS is the only shelter in California, and in fact, the only shelter in the west to make the final round.
Please take a moment to register online at buttehumane.org and post a photo of yourself with your pet! You can vote up to ten times per day for BHS.