First Lady Michelle Obama: First Dog Coming to White House in April
Reader Comments
New First Dog's Secret Service Code Name?
Some of the questions that will be raised about the First Dog are serious. The ways in which the Obamas deal with the following issues are sure to send important messages about responsible care to those homes that already contain America's 60 million dogs.
* Considering the pet food debacle, what will the First Dog eat? Organic pet food? Wheat and corn-free? Vegetarian? What brands?
* Will the snow and ice-melting products used on the White House sidewalks be pet-safe?
* Does everybody know not to use cocoa mulch on the Rose Garden?
* Who is in charge of patrolling the premises so plants and foods that are toxic to dogs - grapes, raisons, chocolate, onions, artificially sweetened products -- aren't at drooling-mouth level?
* Where will the Obama dog sleep at night? In the bedroom with the children or in a crate somewhere else? Will it be the right size crate?
* Are the Obamas using biodegradable poop bags? It might sound like a funny question but savvy environmentalists will want to know.
Then, there will be fodder for comedians and national news segments:
* Who will train the most famous dog in the world not to bite reporters or will that lesson be discreetly skipped?
* Will the dog have a Secret Service code name? What should it be?
* Will the dog sport a diamond-studded collar and sleep on a $500 dollar doggie bed as befits its celebrity status?
* When the Obama children have sleepovers, will friends bring their canines for doggie night out?
* What famous person or figure from history will the dog dress as for Halloween?
* Who will be the official White House doggie photographer?
* Which dog toys will grace the gleaming and carpeted floors and new playground?
* Does the dog's name have ethnic or historical origins? Does it more creatively top previous First Dog names such as Spot, Buddy, Millie, Lucky, Grits, Liberty, Checkers, Him and Her, Feller, Heidi, Duke, Pushinka, and King Tut?
Thank You Jesus
I am an african, i really want to thank God for your life and family Barak, may the good lord help you in all that you put your hands to do.
i am so much impress with your family. as the first lady says it is not perfect, indeed you both can walk if you agreed by God's grace.
Economic stability
President Obama:
I truly hope that your policies will put this country back on it's feet in the near future. There are many who go to bed hungry and without health care in this country. My husband is an out of work factory worker. If it weren't for God and my husband being a member of the National Guard we would be in a mess.
I just ask that you remember that you promised Americans a "change". I am willing to wait and see what your administration is able to accomplish before passing judgement.
My prayers are with you and the First Family.
barack
please feed that dog so well
what's up
Hey barry hey schelle. Wants up
!1st dog
The Man of Change could do tons of good by rescuing and by STRESSING NEUTERING /SPAYING and RABIES SHOTS. I fear for the thousands of dogs that will be bred so people can get the same kind of dog the 1st family has but after the dogs prove too much to handle end up tied outside ignored or dropped off at shelters.
Mutts are wonderful
I was turned off when Obama declared that he'd adopt a shelter dog but "didn't want a mutt like [himself]". Some of the smartest dogs I've known were mutts. And some of the most skittish dogs I've known were mutts. You don't know. Just like people every dog has a different personality.
Ways around allergies: give the child a pill. Half the country already has their children on unnecessary medication anyway. How easier would it be to connect with so many citizens?
Another way around allergies: get a turtle. Oh, wait, another presidential candidate already owns turtles. I guess the Obamas don't want to be like the McCains.
And yet another way around allergies: the utterly expensive designer dogs (or is it just cats right now?) that are genetically altered to be hypo-allergenic. Hmm..that would be expensive. And I guess the "hairless" varieties are just not cuddly enough or have enough photographic appeal for someone in the Obamas position.
Yes, this whole debate is not as important a bit of news as other things right now, but to tell the truth, it's the only thing I've been interested to come out of the White House in a while. When announcements are made about how the economy should be turning around in 8-12 months, and then the Pres's office paints a grim picture of having no hope, all that does is spur more of an economic slide! Happy news is a new puppy!
Americans need more positive news. More positive stories. We can do it, America! We can turn our economy around!
Oh, and as much fun as it was voting on the name for "Buddy" with the Clinton's dog, I think the Obama family should privately name their dog (with a good name to suit it's personality and/or breed) and then hold a press conference or whatever and announce the identity/name of their new puppy.
It will be their dog. Let them choose.
And that dog will provide good lessons for the girls too, if they are made to be the ones taking care of it. Don't buy the dog and then have someone else take care of it. Not only will the girls learn better lessons, but they'll also form a stronger bond with the creature if they're the ones feeding and exercising and cleaning up after the new puppy.
I'm off to volunteer at a local shelter now.
A rescued "puppy" ???
"Taking delivery in April" to me means waiting for a pup from a litter to be ready to leaves its mother. This doesn't sound very rescue-y to me.
Sure, rescueing a puppy is possible I suppose but I am skeptical when I hear they are "adopting" this pupper.
I support Obama. I was hoping they'd truly adopt a shelter dog or a dog from a rescue. If purchasing a pup due to breed preferene and most importantly their daughter is what was best for them, I can't judge. I am just disappointed.
So, who can tell me the origin of this dog/puppy? Breeder or is it really being adopted???
Thanks :)
"First Dog" = FDOTUS!
To the Secret Service and much of Washington, the pooch will be known as First Dog Of The United States - FDOTUS, just as the prez is POTUS, the first lady is FLOTUS, etc. You can actually own the domain (web address) FDOTUS.com! And, isn't it Good Ol' Ted Kennedy who has been lobbying Obama to get a Portuguese Water Dog (like his own 2)?
