Greyhounds For Obama
Maybe all dogs go to heaven, but come this January only one lucky orphan will land a rags-to-riches tale of finding heaven on earth as First Pet. As debates swirl around the Obama family's impending doggy declaration, media attention has focused mainly on a parade of various mutts, doodles and poo's who are eagerly awaiting love. But there's also another, quieter contender with an A-plus pedigree ready for the position: the retired racing greyhound. While strategists continue to pontificate on the proper recipe of critical elements for the next First Pet's political triumph, I say that now's the time for Barack Obama to play the race card...by adopting a greyhound.
Contrary to popular belief, retired racing greyhounds are sweet companions and low-key family pets. C'mon Conquer, my eight-year-old ex-racer is a noble and endearing salt and pepper goofball who is unashamedly the laziest dog on earth 23.5 hours out of the day. She has never aggravated my allergies and always suffers the company of overly enthusiastic children with brave patience, which is more than I can say for myself. And people are supposed to get dogs that look like them, right? Editorial cartoonist Gary Varvel depicted Obama as a greyhound way back in February 2007, while Claudia Presto of the Greyhound Gang recently summed up our President-Elect's houndish traits in her my.barackobama.com comparative top ten list. She cited commonalities between the two such as elegance, a lean physique and the ability to run a race and win.
Gary Varvel 2007
The results of the "My Dog Looks Like Obama or McCain" photo contest over at Rover411.com honored Kalli the greyhound as runner-up to champion Amore Francine, a boxer from Mt. Clemens, Michigan. But unfortunately for Amore (to her breed's deep frustration) boxers are not recommended as a good choice for families with pet allergies. From years of avid pageant watching education I feel that since Amore is unable to fulfill all of her duties as the reining Champion (she can't hang out with Malia), Kalli should step in and take the crown. Sometimes you win, sometimes you lose... that's just the breaks in this dog eat dog world. There's always the next election.
Photo courtesy of Rover411.com
It's not only that Obama looks like a greyhound- he may actually owe his new position, in part, to them. While the designer doodles and poo's were sitting pretty during this contentious presidential campaign, greyhounds actually hit the streets to Organize for Obama. Check out these pictures of grey's dressed in their Obama flair, tirelessly canvassing for both Hope and Change. Even their miniature cousins, the Italian Greyhounds, trotted out for the cause, which is notable since they, as foreign citizens, were unable to vote.
Greyhound photos courtesy of Jagwired at Flickr.com
So it seems that as the inauguration approaches the Obamas should be destined for a greyhound, or two...maybe one for each girl? Like potato chips and tattoos, greyhounds are better in multiples. Rumor has it that the Bidens are also in the market for a big dog, so why not make it rescue racers for everyone? With any luck there will soon be a veritable herd of hounds frolicking on the President's lawn and smelling the roses during press conferences in the White House garden. Though not unprecedented, as President Hayes owned Grim the greyhound and President Tyler was the proud papa to Le Beau, an Iggy, (which may explain the aformentioned campaign solidarity) it will be a big deal if greyhounds return to Washington. A renaissance of greys would mark the end of a lengthy vigil- Grim's paws last padded around the Oval Office in 1881. I'm crossing my fingers that as this pet situation evolves, our new President will decide to use my favorite campaign slogan in regards to his thoughts on greyhound adoption: YES WE CAN!
Download this poster for free at greyhoundsthebook.com
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First - Thanks to Kira for posting a wonderful article - spot on!
Second - As a 7+ year volunteer with Michigan REGAP (www.rescuedgreyhound.org), a Greyhound Rescue Group (Anti-Racing as well), I just want to say that adopting a retired racer would be a fantastic boost to educating the public to the plight of these amazing animals. Greyhounds are about as hyper-allergenic as a dog can get as they do not have "fur" but actual "hair" which is rarely shed. So many of our adopters have terrible animal fur and dander allergies but never have problems with their Greys. Also, in response to the poster complaining that Sasha and Malia need a "puppy", have you ever met a Grey new from the track? These are dogs who have never been allowed to be a "puppy." Watching a new track dog discover toys and "playing" is the most amazing experience you can have - the sheer love and joy these dogs exude will break your heart. Greyhounds, contrary to popular belief, do not need the huge amounts of exercise and space that other large breeds require. Remember that these dogs are bred to be sprinters - short bursts of energy followed by hours of couch potato-ness! President Obama would be wise to include one or more of these intelligent, beautiful, noble animals in his life as the leader of our country! Greyhounds for Obama!
I've known some lovely sweet rescued greyhounds and one or two not so sweet. But these girls want a puppy..so they should get a puppy..or two. I'm sure there are many mixed breed puppies that are hypo-allergenic types that the Obamas could she their home with. A good dog person can tell by a few minutes with the puppy if her nature is smart and gentle and not skittish. I have a Standard Poodle..smart, hypo-allergenic, affectionate....but if the Obamas want a mutt, they should have a mutt. I've had wonderful mutts in the past...but some bit skittish..(one might have bitten a small kid who reached for her.)
Greyhounds are the best dogs ever! And this is coming from a cat-person! In fact, in a lot of ways, their habits are very similar to cats. They don't act like most dogs, in my estimation, because they aren't yapping and jumping and slobbering all over you and "in your face." They are bright, inquisitive, quiet, gentle, and loyal to a fault. The one problem they have (if you could call it a problem) is that they're FAST! If they get loose, you could never outrun them. But within the confines of the White House and surrounding yard, that shouldn't be a problem (or even at the Hyde Park home).
I think the Obamas adopting a rescued Greyhound would set a very good example for our nation to adopt discarded dogs, and many other people would then want to adopt one too after seeing how great they are. This could even solve the problem of Greyhounds being destroyed and bring more attention to this practice due to dog racing.
Please, President-elect Obama: if you're reading this, please consider the Greyhound! You won't be sorry. Just ask other Greyhound owners. You'll never find a more enthusiastic and devoted group of people. Greyhounds make the best pets!
another vote here for a greyhound in the white house! meets every qualification and is the most patient, gracious companion and host. does anyone in the rescue community know if there are more formalized or organized attempts to "lobby" on this one? a greyt opportunity to do outreach and education on greyhounds!
Greyhounds rock!
Retired racing greyhounds need exposure because the supply always exceeds the demand.
Right now the racetrack closed in the US-controlled Guam and many greyhounds are at risk.
Please read the Greyhound Network News article and get it in front of as many eyeballs as possible.
http://www.greyhoundnetworknews.org/Breaking%20news%201206.htm
I think Joe Biden should get a rescue dog too.
As an previous owner of two greyhounds (they died a few years ago of old age), I can't believe anyone doesn't want a greyhound. I was surprised at how loving and calm they were, and best of all, they were lazier than sin and required little exercise. They were great with my cousins, nephews, and nieces, and they both were very affectionate and didn't even bark. Better still, they never set off anyone's allergies, and I only vacuumed once a week!
The picture of those dogs in the poster is not very good looking!
I disagree!
It looks like Photo District News disagrees as well:
http://www.pdnphotooftheday.com/date/2008/12/08
No dog is hypo-allegenic but a dog with shorter fur or hair I suppose would be easier. I understand it is necessary to vacumn a lot with a hepa vacumn and bath the dog very regularly. I think there is some kind of stuff people can use too on the dog. i agree it must be a rescue. I hate seeing all those mass produced dogs at the pet store when there are so many loving dogs so anxious for a home at all the shelters. It should be illegal until the shelters are empty.
I tell you greyhounds are precious. A friend of mine adopted one and then ended up adopting three more. They are wonderful companions for both adults and children.
I just adopted a shelter dog last week, and it's great!! She is 4 months old, and she is already part of the family. I truly hope the Obamas adopt a dog who needs a good home.
I agree but make it a boy dog. Obama already has two daughters and needs a son dog. There are a lot more homeless boy dogs and they are just as sweet and wonderful as female dogs. The dog would be neutered anyway. It can be fireworks to have two female dogs in a home but two boys dogs usually coexist quite nicely or a male and female. The Obama's might end up with two furry buddies since dogs need time with their own kind too.
Retired greyhounds are beautiful and sweet companion pets and I'm happy for you that you didn't have allergy problems with them, but I have been married to a veterinarian for thirty five years and am an RN. Any dog that sheds is more likely to have more of the skin dander and hair that most allergic people react to. A non shedding breed is best. And though Barack would like a big dog, he would be much wiser to let his girls choose a smaller breed for the simple fact that where there is less dog, there is less dander, less saliva, just plain less doggy allergy stuff. All the Presidents seem to have dogs and their dogs are supposed to say something about them, but we all should remember---and so should Barack remember---that this dog will not be the President's dog. Two little girls earned this dog by enduring the family disruption and parental absences of the past two years. This dog will belong to Sasha and Malia. If the President needs a dog---------he ought to get one of his own.
Good reminder! Sasha and Malia's own dog, not Barack's.
Shasha? Oops...Sasha.
Articles such as this make me grateful to have led my life in relatively obscurity. I'm glad that when I asked my parents for a pet at age seven, the national media didn't feel compelled to comment. I got to enjoy my furred friend without anyone vicariating my experience.
Perhaps we can encourage the media to leave the Obama children and their dog alone.
A greyhound would be a great choice. And what's with this one dog business? Malia and Shasha should both get their own dog....the more the merrier if you ask me.
oh, please. my daughter and i have RESCUED 9 greyhounds in 30 years and if we had not RESCUED them, they would have been killed with a 22 shot to the brain. I even had one who's leg was dangling from his hip. The breeder refused to seek medical care for "Smut". he lived to the ripe old age of 11 and was the laziest, funniest, prettiest and most loving dog i could have asked for.
They are just perfect as house pets. They are super easy to house train and I think this administration should have two! two girls and two greyts!
You are good people.
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