Obama's shaggy dog story

"Who could resist this sweet, happy boy with those beautiful eyes? Apply today for your opportunity to be charmed." Meet Poco, "featured dog" at Greyhound Welfare, "a greyhound rescue and placement group" that places "ex-racing greyhounds throughout the metropolitan Washington DC area." What are you waiting for, Mr. President-elect?

“We have two criteria that have to be reconciled," a playful President-elect Barack Obama told reporters at his press conference Friday, spinning a faux dilemma about what kind of puppy to get for "the girls":

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. So — so whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household.

We appreciate the attempt at humor on the part of a person our friend neo has correctly pegged as "not a funny man, but two objections come to mind. First, what does being a mutt have to do with whether or not a dog is hypoallergenic? Answer: Nothing. Senator Obama is voting "present," effectively "sidestepping the issue, an option he invoked nearly 130 times as a state senator." Daughter Malia has reportedly "already decided that because of her allergies, she wanted a [purebred] goldendoodle," and our guess is that Papa's trying to have it both ways, keeping the pro-shelter, animal-welfare "dogs" at bay while fulfilling his campaign promise to Malia. Second, hasn't Senator Obama heard of Google? Just type in "hypoallergenic dog" in a search, and you're on your way. One more click, and you've solved the anti-elitist shelter-dog issue:

Greyhounds, Single-Coated. There are many varieties of greyhounds that you can consider. While greyhounds are considered fast, they do not like to run long distances and enjoy sitting with their owner’s for long periods of time. Since greyhounds have short hair and are single-coated, they are a good choice for those with allergies. Greyhounds are also great with children and are relatively easy dogs to train and to have around in the family.

But Malia wants a goldendoodle, so Obama had to put out some delaying, diversionary spin to throw Bark Obama! & Company off the scent. According to the NYT, "the Humane Society of the United States issued a statement suggesting it intended to hold Mr. Obama to adoption":

We are grateful to the Obama family for previously announcing they will rescue a dog — a real message of hope and change for all the dogs in shelters waiting for a loving home and those currently suffering in abusive puppy mills.

Call us cynical*, but we're betting that dog won't hunt.

*Cynic. "The name is recorded in English from the mid-16th century, and comes via Latin cynicus, from Greek kunikós. It probably comes originally from Kunosarges, the name of a gymnasium where Antisthenes taught, but was popularly taken to mean ‘doglike, churlish’, from the nickname (Kōn ‘the dog’) for Diogenes, the most famous of the Cynics."

Comments

[Gayle Miller]

Another campaign promise on the verge of the old smasheroo!

[goomp]

Maybe the dog would be happier in the shelter than in the company of those humans in the White House. I suspect they are quite churlish.

[Retrorepublican]

Interesting take on the Fido issue.

Yes, his attempt at humor fell with a thud at that intensely awkward press conference. Compared to the paragon of Democratic leadership, JFK, who honestly was funny, it was downright painful to watch - something today's liberal illuminati couldn't help but notice, I feel.

And therein lies the inconsistencies of the left: populist or purist? He also sidestepped the public or private school issue, deferring to Michelle. Which I take means private.

[Teresa]

Like Jimmy Carter, Barack Obama seems to have no sense of humor. So when he tries to make a joke - he tries too hard. (as if he "thinks" it's a joke, but isn't quite sure...)

If they really want a hypo-allergenic dog then generally a poodle is the recommendation and has been for many years. They don't shed. I don't know if the same can be said for the "golden-doodle" or whatever they're called... but how - um - interesting that Barak's daughter wants one of the current favorite "high end" type dogs.

[Dave Schuler]

There is no such thing as a purebred goldendoodle. They don't breed true to type. They're mutts with a big price tag.

Which, ironically, may be emblematic of the Obama presidency.

[Lulu And Lolly]

We are 2 Maltese dogs and we just want to say Two Paws Up for the new Prez getting a rescue dog, because LoLLy is a rescue and we are truly awesome options for expanding the pack, and now many more people will know that! Love, Your PaLs,LuLu and LoLLy!

[Varieties of Dog Gates]

My vote is on a shelter dog, too. We rescued our Pandora in 2005 from one, and she is the most fabulous dog ever!