The entire country is now immersed in a new presidential puppy. Bo, the quasi-"rescued" pure breed pup who was presented to the First Family recently.
Many are thrilled and now the stock for Portuguese Water Dogs begins its meteoric rise..... On the other hand, many in rescue are disappointed in the fact that a shelter dog was (again) passed over in favor of a bred for profit canine.
What ever side of the issue you find yourself on, here is a news flash: at any given shelter on any given day throughout the United States and beyond, there are literally hundreds (maybe thousands) of dogs that would have been suitable for adoption by a family with health concerns such as the First Family.
That being the case, the fact that they chose to bring a bred for profit pet into their homes is their business - their choice. I don't judge....but I can still feel for all those other dogs in shelters out there who didn't stand a chance when it came down to brass tacks. It's a shame one of them couldn't have benefited from the good will and intentions of an administration setting out to make grand changes all over; because right about now some changes in the public attitude toward shelter pets would be most welcome!
Felicia was one of our rescues, (an 8 year old Portuguese Water Dog mix!), who suddenly found herself quite literally kicked out of the house by the only people she'd ever known in her entire life.
Why? Well, the family got a new baby and Felicia was no longer the center of their universe.
It happens. A lot. So, poor Felicia not only lost her favored position as cherished pet, she was unceremoniously "sent packing" to live in the back yard where she became suddenly, and most unprepared, exposed to all the elements! (Not so happy a life for a pup who is deathly afraid of thunder storms). She was a mess both physically and emotionally when we took her in.
It doesn't have to be this way, however. There is a lot you can do to prepare ahead of time in anticipation of a new baby and the introduction of that baby to an existing pet. In fact, the ASPCA website has some good material on how to successfully introduce an existing pet to a new human baby. First, there is their on-line community where you can connect with and learn from others who have successfully navigated these same waters:
Then there is their Virtual Pet Behaviorist to weigh in on the subject of children and pets:
Urbandawgs (
http://www.urbandawgs.com/), another favorite site of ours, also has a wonderful little pdf on preparing pets for your impending little bundle of joy:
Happily for Felicia, she found the most wonderful of homes (complete with a loving and devoted human) to live out her life in happiness and without fear. In fact, she is quite the lovely and pampered pooch now, with her very own doggie birthday party invites, etc.!
Felicia, we are so very happy for you and you loving "dad"...may you have many happy years together.
Oh, and as far as "First Dog" material....we think Felicia would have been a FABULOUS First Dog - even though she is not necessarily a pure breed (although we can't say THAT for sure, either! She may well BE a pure bred dog!). Also, she may not be so young anymore, either. The point is, what we're trying to say is this: in any given shelter on any given day through out this vast country are MANY other non-allergenic shelter pups, waiting and hoping for you to see them and say "yes we can!" adopt you.
Don't be seduced into thinking that the only way to guarantee a non-allergenic and pure bred dog is to go to a breeder. And if you do go to the shelter, remember that just because that shelter dog may be a bit over (or under!) weight, or matted and dirty, or older and a little unsure of themselves, don't just pass them up because you don't know their pedigree. Remember that this little "diamond in the rough" dog standing hopefully before you is potentially just the right dog for you and your family. Not only that, but you may very well be their last chance.
We have successfully placed hundreds of shelter and owner surrender dogs with new families and have virtually not had any returned due to exacerbating known allergy issues. It may take a bit of work and a lot of searching, but we know that somewhere in some shelter or neglected, unwanted and tied in some backyard is your very own "First Dog".
Remember how Felicia's dad found his "First Dog"....
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