Obamas criticised for breaking promise of adopting dog from shelter

The Telegraph ^ | 4/14/2009 | Nick Greene

[bruinbirdman]

President Barack Obama's gift of a dog to his two daughters has angered animal welfare activists who argued that he broke a promise to adopt a dog from a shelter.

Bo, the six-month-old black and white Portuguese water dog who was a gift from Senator Edward Kennedy, was due to have his official unveiling at the White House last night.

Though he was given up by his first owners, the puppy spent no time in a rescue shelter and instead was treated to a month with the senator's dog trainer before being handed over to the White House.

Dr Jana Kohl, author of Rare Breed of Love, said: "This will fuel the breeding industry which will fuel the puppy mill industry, which will increase homeless dogs at shelters."

"To add insult to injury, during these tough economic times it is incredibly insensitive and elitist of them to do this," she added.

"People are tearfully turning in their pets to shelters because they can't afford them anymore. How can they be so out of touch?".

To appease the critics, the Obamas made a donation to the Humane Society, the biggest animal welfare group in the US. Wayne Pacelle, chief executive, diplomatically referred to Bo as a "quasi-rescue dog".

He acknowledged that the Obamas never flat-out promised to get a dog from a pound or rescue group, though they expressed a strong preference for doing so.

"He's in a grey area," Mr Pacelle said of Bo. "But I will say that many animal advocates are disappointed that he [Obama] didn't go to a shelter or breed rescue group, partly because he set that expectation."

Katie McCormick Lelyveld, a spokesman for Michelle Obama, said the family begun searching for a shelter dog but changed course when the Kennedys learned of the puppy's availability

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

what a total jerk....He could have made a strong statement about adopting pupsters!!

[hometoroost]

Teddy gave him a Portugese WATER dog. Why not just get him an Igotdrunkanddrownedmypregnantgirlfriend dog?

[gwilhelm56]

How can anyone be Upset that FUHRER hasn’t Kept his word about the DOG ... the only thing he has kept his word on is Threatening to CUT THE MILITARY!!

[alice_in_bubbaland]

Poor Obummer..... Maybe the MSM should be more outraged by electing a POS apologizing US citizen poser to be POTUS.

[ETL]

Kennedy Endorses Water Dog For Obama Family
[from the unbelievable but true file!]
WBZTV.Com ^ | January 13, 2009

Senator Ted Kennedy made an important political endorsement Tuesday [January 2009]. Massachusetts' Senior Senator endorsed the Portuguese water dog as the perfect pet for the nation's new first family.

[snip]

"A Portuguese water dog is the perfect choice for first dog," Kennedy said in a written statement. "The Obama girls -- and their parents -- will love a Portuguese water dog. They're loyal, smart, loving and they became a real part of the family. And they definitely do not shed."

Senator Kennedy and wife Vicki have three Portuguese water dogs of their own. Sunny and Splash often accompany Kennedy to the Senate. "They love being around people and being part of the action," he said.

The Kennedy's just added a third Portuguese water dog to the family, a puppy named Captain Courageous – or 'Cappy' for short. ..."

Senator Ted Kennedy's
Portuguese Water Dog puppy,
"Captain Courageous".

http://wbztv.com/watercooler/obama.family.dog.2.906743.html
_____________________________________________________

"The black-and-white puppy is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy"

Barack Obama's family pick first puppy, a Portuguese water dog named Bo
April 12, 2009

"file picture of a Portuguese water dog, the breed Barack Obama's family has picked as the first puppy"

THE family of US president Barack Obama have chosen a Portuguese water dog to be the first pet.

In what was one of the White House's most tightly kept secrets, the Washington Post revealed Mr Obama's daughters, 10-year-old Malia and seven-year-old Sasha, have settled on a pup named Bo.

The Post published photos of the presidential puppy meeting Mr Obama's family. See the photos here.

The black-and-white puppy is a gift from Senator Ted Kennedy. Bo is scheduled to make his big debut to the American public early next week.

Mr Obama's daughters chose the name Bo because first lady Michelle Obama's father was nicknamed Diddley, the newspaper reported.

White House aides told The Associated Press that the office of the first lady arranged an exclusive deal on the dog story with the Post.

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,25324305-38198,00.html?from=public_rss

[Red_Devil 232]

I saw a video clip of the Obama family walking the dog around in the grass. Obambi kept his hands in his pockets the whole time. Did he even pet the pup?

[Recovering Ex-hippie]

He was sooooo awkward with the doggie...he has no doubt never had one...the big deal with the kids getting a dog..wouldn’t they have had one by now?

this is for show. Period.

[John123]

Captain Courageous

Teddy could have used a little of that back in Chappaquiddick...

[USMCWife6869]

Doggie Ping

[Chieftain]

this is for show. Period.

Obama... do something for show?? Ya, think!

[TurtleUp]

Give the socialist liar a break. If we harped on the shocking news every time the druggie in our White House is caught in a lie, we wouldn’t have time to live our own lives. Now, if former US Senator Obama ever keeps his word on something positive, that’ll be news. That’s when I want to hear about the America-hating scum from Chicago; until then I hope to forget that he exists.

[LiberConservative]

The Humane Society bought 0's BS hook line and sinker. To the tune of contributing to his campaign. First time in history the HS endorsed a presidential candidate.

HA! HA!

[Fudd Fan]

As much as I despise these poseurs, there are a LOT of other very important issues that we need to nail him on. What kind of dog they get and where they get him is not going to make any difference to my liberty... unfortunately there are nother issues that are and will. Let’s get a grip.

[cameraeye]

Barry has broken so many promises, nobody know his truth.

[ETL]

Yep, it almost seems like he’s trying to rub it in by naming his Water Dogs “Splash” and “Captain Courageous”. Even the fact that we would go out and buy a “Water Dog” of all things indicates to me that he’s trying to send some sort of a twisted message.

[Verginius Rufus]

Finally the "perpetually indignant" have an issue to get lathered up over!

I'm waiting till it comes out that the puppy owes back taxes...

[NObama2008]

President Barack Obama's gift of a dog to his two daughters has angered animal welfare activists who argued that he broke a promise to adopt a dog from a shelter...To appease the critics, the Obamas made a donation to the Humane Society,...

Typical of this President. All those promises of change and I'm on your side speeches and he blatantly does the opposite. I'm glad the left is starting to see what a hypocrite this man is.

[the OlLine Rebel]

I already stated on the thread about Biden’s Shepherd the other day - I am SO sick of the snotty “adoption” pushers.

[trooprally]

“Obambi” - good to see someone else referring to the messiah as looking like a paralyzed deer in the head lights.

I wonder how the pup handles water boarding.

[Mr] T