A Mutt Like Me

Not since Richard Nixon's famous Checkers speech has a dog featured so prominently in presidential politics. During President-elect Obama's acceptance speech on Tuesday night, he told his daughters, Sasha and Malia, they "have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." When asked about the puppy during his first post-election press conference on Friday, Obama explained in more depth:

"This is a major issue. I think it's generated more interest on our web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. Whether we're going to be able to balance those two things is a pressing issue in the Obama household."

Adopting a dog is a meaningful experience in anyone's life, and the Obamas are right to consider the unique needs of their family and approach the decision with care and deliberation. Animal lovers are grateful that the First Family-elect wants to rescue a shelter dog, and I've written before on this blog that adoption can send a powerful message of hope and change for all the dogs suffering in cages at abusive puppy mills or waiting in shelters for a second chance and a loving home.

So the question that remains is whether it's possible for any family -- presidential or otherwise -- to balance their desire for a shelter dog with a child's allergies. My answer: "Yes we can!"

First, adopting a purebred is easy. One of every four dogs in U.S. animal shelters is a purebred. If a family wants a particular type of dog, such as a breed that might produce fewer reactions in people who suffer from allergies, the local animal shelter should be the first stop. My colleague Kelly Peterson adopted her dog Keely (pictured) -- a soft-coated wheaten terrier, one of the breeds said to be less irritating to those with dog allergies -- from the Portland shelter run by the Oregon Humane Society.

There are also purebred rescue groups that specialize in particular breeds of dogs, keeping abandoned, rejected, or stray purebreds until they can be placed in loving, permanent homes. And online resources like Pets911.com and Petfinder.com allow people to search for specific breeds in need of adoption.

Second, contrary to popular belief, there are no " hypoallergenic" or "non-allergenic" breeds of dogs or cats, and even hairless breeds may be highly allergenic. People respond differently to dogs and cats, and one animal of a particular breed may be more irritating to an individual allergy sufferer than another animal of that same breed. Children sometimes outgrow allergies, although adults rarely become accustomed to pets to whom they are allergic.

Cats tend to be more allergenic than dogs for allergic people, although some people are more sensitive to dogs than cats. Dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair -- the poodle or the bichon frise, for example -- may be less irritating to some individuals, although this may be because they are bathed and groomed more frequently. A mutt who is a mix of those breeds would have the same benefits for people with allergies.

The Humane Society of the United States has tips for reducing the symptoms of allergies when pets are in the household, such as cleaning your home properly, bathing your pet regularly, creating an "allergy free" zone where the pet is not allowed, and considering allergy shots. By doing some research and taking simple precautions, we can keep people and pets together -- from the White House to your house.

Follow Michael Markarian on Twitter: www.twitter.com/mmarkarian

Comments

[frustratedinohio]

The Obama's need to go to Petfinder.com. They would have their chose of anywhere in the country. They could find a puppy of whatever breed they wanted. The more horrible the story of abandonment, the better. It is extremely important that they get a shelter puppy/dog. They have an incredible opportunity to infuse some knowledge of the overpopulation problem for dogs and cats into main stream America.

I wish the new first lady would take on this problem. It's a problem that needs more awareness and tons of funding and better legislation. It's possible that she could solve the problem of overpopula­tion/puppy mills/feral cats/homeless pets in her husband's first term.

[OKSunny]

I agree. As a HUGE animal lover, the pet population is a horrible problem, and puppy mills keep me up at night. ALL of the animals I share my life with are ones that I picked up off the streets & they are the best.
Michelle, along with Oprah (did you see her show on puppy mills:() should take on the "pets for profit" issue and start getting tougher laws passed nationwide concerning animal abuse and reproduction.
Puppy Mills should be OUTLAWED. Only people with the background, knowledge, time, and money, should be breeding dogs to keep the breed alive and up to standard. Everyone else should be forced to spay & neuter.

" A greatness of a nation and its moral progress can be judged by the way its animals are treated"
-Ghandi

Imagine if the Obama' s could cure this disease in our society...­......imag­ine

[frustratedinohio]

OMG. I was trying to think of that quote. I'm so glad you used it. Thanks OKSunny.

[cinemaven]

What a wonderful article.

My sis heads up the rescue effort for Giant Schnauzers where we live so I know how often wonderful dogs need to be rehomed. My current dog (who looks a lot like Keely even though she's a golden doodle) is the first dog I've ever had that isn't a shelter or rescue dog but she was a gift I didn't know I was getting and didn't have any say in where she was purchased. Before her, I had a pomeranian that came from a rescue organization. He was taken from a puppy mill along with dozens of other poms. Unfortunately, he died of a seizure disorder when he was only 2. Before him, we had the most amazing retired racing greyhound. He was a stud so he was 6 when we adopted him and we had him for 7 wonderful years.

I've never had a pet from the pound or a rescue org. that couldn't be trained and that didn't turn out to be the "best dog I've ever had" so I think if the Obama's were to take your advice, they'd be very satisfied.

I'd add another tip for people suffering from allergies.­.. a Neti pot. Since I've started using it to flush out my sinuses, my own hay fever, sinus problems and colds have been drastically reduced :)