After the election, Obama family resolves to adopt a dog from an animal shelter

Posted on Oct 3, 2008 By Julia Szabo

On Entertainment Tonight earlier this week, Michelle Obama shared the news that, per the promise she and her husband made to their daughters, Malia and Sasha, after the presidential election, her family would be adopting a dog from an animal shelter instead of buying a dog from a pet store.

The announcement was music to the ears of animal rescuers and advocates across the country, although probably not to the American Kennel Club, which conducted an online poll in August to determine which purebred dog the family should buy; the majority of the 42,000 Americans polled voted that the family should get a Poodle.

It's highly likely that the Obamas' decision to adopt rather than buy a dog was influenced by one of their most prominent supporters, Oprah Winfrey, and the expose Winfrey's television talk show produced about the horrors of puppy mills, which supply the majority of the country's pet stores. The atrocities revealed in that now-famous broadcast, which aired in early April, resulted in Winfrey announcing that all of her future dogs would come from animal shelters.

However, People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals is taking credit for the Obamas' decision, citing an impassioned letter written to the senator and his wife by PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk on July 28.

In the letter, Newkirk wrote, in part: "Senator, no one needs to tell you that this country is proud to be a melting pot, and that there is something deeply wrong and elitist about wanting only a purebred dog. Millions of Great American Mutts - the dog that should be our national dog - are set to die in our nation's extremely overcrowded pounds and shelters for lack of good homes. Compassionate people nationwide are choosing to adopt a homeless pound puppy - a grateful refugee from a society that has not always treated the true "underdog" kindly - rather than cater to special interests who do not have dogs' interests at heart."

Newkirk's letter continued: "Adopting an animal not only saves a life, but demonstrates compassion, and the companion animal overpopulation crisis deserves attention from all Americans. Every animal purchased from a breeder or pet shop takes a home away from a needy animal at an animal shelter, waiting and hoping for a chance at the American dream of life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness."

Champion flying-disc dog undergoes emergency surgery

Posted on Oct 1, 2008 By Julia Szabo

 

Last night we received the sad news from FetchDog friend Roo Yori that his beloved, champion flying-disc dog Wallace, an adopted pit bull  and one of the most talented dog athletes ever, will not be competing in this year's annual Purina Incredible Dog Challenge this weekend.

While at his underwater treadmill session, training to prepare for this weekend's big event, which he won last year, Wallace managed to remove a silicone spatula from its handle and swallowed it whole. Vets were unable to remove the object with a scope, so Wallace underwent emergency surgery to remove the thing before it could travel to his intestines.

A devastated Roo sent out an email blast last night asking Wallace's friends and supporters around the country to "please send thoughts, prayers, good vibes, etc., his way for a successful procedure." It worked: Roo's follow-up email let everyone know that Wallace came out of surgery just fine. Whew.

Animal Care's Central Park Dog Walk gets rained on, but not washed out!

Posted on Sep 29, 2008 By Julia Szabo

Yesterday was the rain date for the Animal Care 2008 Central Park Dog Walk in New York City, originally scheduled for Saturday. Unfortunately, the weather decided not to cooperate, drizzling even more rain on the already-postponed event.

No matter: The event got rained on, but not washed out! Many people and dogs gamely turned out to meet the adoptable dogs and cats, who stayed comfortable and dry thanks to North Shore Animal League America's cozy tour bus. And happily, many dogs went to loving new homes, like Shih Tzu mixes Oscar and Fluffy, now the proud pets of teenagers Gira Hernandez and Isis Saldana.

Also on hand was Canadian writer Marsha Boulton, author of the new book Wally's World, about her beloved Bull Terrier. Boulton was in town promoting her "Wally's Week" incentive program at the ASPCA, in which adopters who get a dog at the ASPCA  between now and Thursday gets a gift bag filled with free goodies, including dog food samples and a copy of Boulton's book.

And "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" has been in theaters for only a few days, but already many of the dogs at the shelter are Chihuahuas and Chihuahua mixes, like A.J., the cutie adopted by Angela Sanchez and Ronnie Gonzalez.

Another lucky Chihuahua is Lucy, a little one-eyed girl adopted by Animal Care staffer Sara Brown. Lucy took advantage of the weather to model her chic rain coat.

Release of "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" raises concern among dog advocates

Posted on Sep 26, 2008 By Julia Szabo

The release of the new Disney movie "Beverly Hills Chihuahua"  has fans of this diminutive breed concerned that the popularity of Chihuahuas will skyrocket, with backyard breeders and puppy mills going into overdrive to supply anticipated demand for these tiny, tote-able dogs.

The small Chihuahua is already hugely popular with the Hollywood set, seen out and about on the arm of starlets such as Paris Hilton and Britney Spears. But when the inevitable happens and moviegoers purchase Chihuahuas on impulse after seeing this movie, without doing the necessary research that should precede the acquisition of any dog breed, it's feared that hundreds if not thousands of these little dogs will wind up abandoned at animal shelters by people who expected a perfectly-trained dog like the ones they saw onscreen. And that means more work for the Chihuahua rescuers who dedicate their time to pulling pets from shelters, fostering them, and finding them loving, responsible homes.

Of course, this being a G-rated film, many children will pressure their parents for a pet Chihuahua - then promptly lose interest in contributing to the dog's care. But even before the dog's novelty has a chance to wear off, Chihuahuas and children are not a great match, explains The Chihuahua Club of America's Bruce Shirky.

"Chihuahuas are very delicate as puppies, and can be inadvertently injured by being dropped, stepped on, or having a small item fall on them," Shirky explains. "For this reason, we recommend that families with very small children perhaps consider a larger breed. The Chihuahua Club of America hopes that anyone who becomes interested in owning a Chihuahua as a result of seeing this movie will educate themselves on responsible dog ownership and all that it entails."

One way to start learning about this or any dog breed, its needs, and whether it is indeed right for your family's lifestyle is to consult the FetchDog Breed Center. As for children who demand a real, live "Beverly Hills Chihuahua" of their own, the easiest, safest, and most humane solution is to buy them a Chihuahua toy instead.

Shelter Dogs Fundraiser: a FetchDog favorite animal shelter hosts "A Party for the Paws" tonight

Posted on Sep 25, 2008 By FetchDog

Animal Care & Control of New York City, a.k.a. NYCACC.org, one of FetchDog's favorite animal shelters, is having "A Party for the Paws," a gala fundraiser, tonight at the Manhattan club Pressure.

An overwhelming number of celebrities have donated items to be auctioned to the highest bidder. These all-star items include a private swim lesson with Olympic multiple medalist Michael Phelps, a batting clinic with Derek Jeter of the New York Yankees, and a night of football-watching with a player from the New York Jets or New York Giants.

For lovers of fine art, world-renowned artist and FetchDog friend Bettina Werner has donated one of her signature salt paintings - an abstract portrait of Tibino, her beloved Dalmatian. Valued at $5,000, this extraordinary artwork was created with a texturized, colorized salt technique that Werner invented in the early 1980s, and is part of a series called "101 Dalmatian Paintings" - a reference, of course, to a certain classic movie about spotted dogs.

Attendees expected at tonight's festivities will be FetchDog's own Glenn Close, the "101 Dalmatians" star who is a huge supporter of NYCACC, comic Susie Essman, socialite Tinsley Mortimer, Jeff Marchetti of "The Sopranos" fame, Nicole Fiscella of "Gossip Girl," and David Best of "America's Greatest Dog."

Pressure is located at 110 University Place, just a hop and skip from the Union Square dog park; tickets are $150 in advance or $200 at the door. To purchase tickets, or for further information, call 212-442-2075. See you there!