Puppy Intrigue

Really, now. People are accusing the president of "planting" this dog in a home, which would subsequently say the dog didn't work out so it could look like they adopted a rescued dog, and that the dog was intended for the Obamas all along. Don't people have anything better to do than speculate on what the Obamas have for lunch and their supposed PR plots? What's next? Will they be accused of "sneaking" pesticides into their "organic" garden?

Barack was quite clear in saying they'd prefer to rescue a shelter dog, but had to take Malia's allergies into consideration. As a result, they've adopted a Portie (Portugese Water Dog) courtesy Ted Kennedy that is a "sort of" rescue dog since he was taken out of a home where he was no longer wanted, and they have donated generously to the Humane Society, to boot. Seems like a quite responsible way to go, to me. Have any of the other First Dogs (or cats) been rescue animals? I'm not really sure. What I am sure of, is that all the coverage of the ins and outs of the White House these days are starting to look like our weird obsession with England's royalty, only tenfold.

All this silliness DOES highlight the need to consider a shelter dog when adopting, which can't be a bad thing. Oh, and, I know I've said it before, but don't add to the problem. Get your pets spayed and neutered.

Another Public Service Message

On an average of once every eight seconds, a dog or cat is put down in a shelter each year. Four million of them, slaughtered because there are no homes for them, every year.

So I want to ask you, is every one of your animals spayed or neutered? If not, when that female is in heat down the road, he will go there, and he will add to the unwanted animals problem. When she is in heat she will find a way to act on it (she's made that way). Even if homes are found for the puppies or kittens produced, it will be a home that another homeless dog or cat could have occupied.

Yes, it's time for another public service message. This is one I'm passionate about, having been a vet tech for 12 years. I have a friend who took in a pregnant stray cat (which is wonderful). They failed to have either mom or the kittens neutered. The mother cat just had another litter, almost certainly inbred, and I'm certain it's not because they can't afford to have it done. I have another friend who thinks it's unfair to let his dog live its life without sex, so they want to breed him for no other reason than that. I love my friends, but this frustrates me.

I know my friends love their animals and a lot of the problem is emotional. He's been a great dog and I want to make more of him so I have something left of him, because dogs and cats live such short lives. Well, that might be a good argument if we were talking about cloning, or if the mating you're planning didn't produce three, five, eight, thirteen puppies that need homes and not just the one you want.

If you're still undecided, if you still insist that your dog or cat should have babies, or keep those reproductive organs because YOU have issues with your own private parts or sex life (this burns me up!) I want to ask something of you. Volunteer at your local shelter for a week or a month. That way you're giving something to the homeless pet community that you're adding to, and you'll see the problem up close and personal. You owe that wonderful creature you live with at least that much. And you just might change your mind.

Tuesday, February 24 is Spay Day. Go to the Humane Society's Website for more good reasons you should spay and neuter your dog or cat (it might prevent cancer, especially in some breeds), and to find out about low cost options for having the procedure done.

And if you're thinking about getting an animal, please consider a shelter pet, or if you're looking for a purebred, do an internet search for breed rescue organizations.