It's between the Labradoodles, shown here, and the Portuguese water dog, in the hunt for the First Dog, the president has said. The Labradoodles have got their own lobbyist. File photo.
by Mark Silva
Here's a question for the Obama White House, with all its new lobbying rules about who can come into the administration and what they can do there, based on what interests they've represented.
If an organized lobbying effort is waged on behalf of Labradoodles, can the first family accept a pet of that variety for Obama daughters Sasha and Malia?
This is only one of the questions for the newly organized Labradoodles for Obama, which announces its formation with the advisory that "the campaign for First Dog is heating up.''
Having seen no organized effort on behalf of the Portuguese water dog, which is the other breed - actually the only breed, inasmuch as the fact that the Labradoodle, half Labrador retriever and half Standard poodle, is not a recognized breed - that the president has publicly mentioned in the family's dog hunt, it would seem that the Labradoodle lobby has a, uh, leg up, on the water dogs.
Washington marketing executive Greg Nelson, voicing "pride in his own Labradoodle, Arbo,'' is behind this letter-writing campaign for doodles, which is aimed not only at placing a Labradoodle at 1600 Pennsylvania, but also at raising awareness about the need to rescue puppies, and the grown variety too, from shelters.
"At the very least, the best result for the Labradoodles for Obama campaign is the money we raise for the Washington Humane Society" Nelson says. "Beyond that, if Arbo is invited for a play-date on the South Lawn, well, that would be a great bonus."
And, before you go and get too wound up about another dog posting here in the Swamp, please remember, it's Saturday.
We're headed for the dog park. Woof.
Comments
The DOG chosen by the President who fooled Moveon.org that he'd be a peace candidate (when HE BOMBED CIVILIANS IN PAKISTAN 4 DAYS INTO HIS PRESIDENCY) is not news.
Going into Afghanistan shows little drive to break up the problems of vietnam.
Meanwhile, Ken Starr's lawfirm (and big tobacco's too) Kirkland and Ellis is representing Dow Chemical--which went bankrupt after supposedly being sued for SIlicone implants. DOW MADE NAPALM. AND THE TYPE OF PLASTIC WE PUT ON FOOD AND GIVE OURSELVES CANCER AND HORMONE DISORDERS WITH. Dow polluted the entire state of michigan downstream from it. And the EPA is doing NOTHING about it.
Posted by: Watch Bill Moyers about BOMBING Civilians | January 31, 2009 2:34 PM
Mark, this story gets a leg up from me. Really. Write a story that is going to change people's lives. If I want entertainment with my politics, I would read a tabloid.
Here is a story that needs to be done, and it does affect everyone here:
http://www.nationwide.com/executive-bonus-plans.jsp
http://searchwarp.com/swa12357.htm
http://www.keypersoninsurance.com/executive_bonus_plan.php
http://www.csmonitor.com/2008/0825/p16s01-wmgn.html
http://www.sptimes.com/2003/10/26/State/Loophole_Inc__A_speci.shtml
http://www.faireconomy.org/press_room/1998/executive_excess_1998_ceos_gain_from_massive_downsizing
Posted by: Xcellentform | January 31, 2009 3:32 PM
They look like wookies!
Posted by: bill r. | January 31, 2009 3:46 PM
I hope the poster "watch bill moyers about bombing civilians" was awake during the last eight years and has seen what a disaster and "Great Depression 2.0" was brought forth by his wisdom! President Obama has been in office for less than two weeks and has done great things already! If you want to see what people are saying look at the blogs of young people, it's incredible the support they are providing him!
Posted by: Jim | January 31, 2009 5:26 PM
Why not a Junk Yard Dog?
Posted by: John Q. Public | January 31, 2009 6:31 PM
pure bred or hoi toi expensive mutt.
see if there's a portugese water dog rescue!
Posted by: stuck in ohellho | January 31, 2009 6:46 PM
This is just ridiculous. Aren't there enough enough problems facing our President, than to now have "lobbyists" pressure Obama's family to try and get some sort of hideous mutant mongrel dog "into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue..."
Sheesh! Let him and his kids pick their own family dog in peace! If they want a mongrel, they just can go to the pound and get a mutt, not spend good money on some 'doodle' dog du jour. Or they can just get a normal purebred from a good breeder or a rescue group. It's the kid's dog after all. Let the girls make their own decisions, free of "lobbyists."
Posted by: Spector | January 31, 2009 6:52 PM
A hybrid, manufactured dog for a family as authentic as the Obamas would be a mismatch.
Posted by: Kit S. | January 31, 2009 7:59 PM
The next hurdle is to choose a name. I understand it's between Marx and Lenin.
Posted by: Alz | January 31, 2009 8:31 PM
Those are the ugliest dogs I have ever seen.
Posted by: brian | January 31, 2009 9:50 PM
Labradoodles are Portuguese Water Dog wannabees.
Posted by: tahu | January 31, 2009 10:32 PM
Terrific article, Mark.
This is the 6th article you've written on this subject and we just can't get enough! Please Please keep on writing about Obama's choice of dog! Please!!!
Posted by: Bruce | January 31, 2009 11:02 PM
oh boy, here comes all the greedy dog breeders out of the shadows, just ready to pounce. how much do you want to bet that this silly group was organized by labradoodle breeders who hope Obama's selection of the "breed" (aka, 100% mutt!) will help their profits?
a labradoodle is a mutt, pure and simple. there's no guarantee at all that a labradoodle will be hypoallergenic since one half of the mix is a breed well known for shedding and allergens. now, if the Obamas want to go w/ a poodle/soft coated wheaten terrier (another breed known to be hypoallergenic), that's a whole different matter. a purebred Portuguese Water Dog is a much better choice in one is dealing w/ allergies as opposed to trying to win the genetic jackpot w/ a mutt.
in the end, it's Obama's choice, and I frankly don't care if he goes w/ a reputable breeder, a purebred rescue, or a random shelter. in the end, he and his family are going to have to live w/ it, so I hope he chooses wisely
Posted by: Demi | January 31, 2009 11:56 PM
I really have a problem with this Obama dog issue. It's very apparent that they didn't want one - the daughters allergies, etc. It took them this long to decide for this dogsploitation affair?
This is really quite sickening. Hope he doesn't send it back home to a fighting ring after the thrill is gone as they still can't get a grip on this problem on the South side of Chicago.
Being that Obama seems to be setting trends in America, why can't he just stand up and say - "we don't want a dog"?
Posted by: Stop | February 1, 2009 4:55 AM
Those dogs look like idiots - designer dogs.
I have a 5 year old Black Lab who DEFINES the word goofy. I love him to distraction, he loves me the same way and when I send this entirely unnecessary piece on its merry way I am going to take him out for a romp in the snow.
Posted by: Terry from Maine | February 1, 2009 9:14 AM
I'm getting really confused.
I thought we were just told kids should be exposed to a certain amount of dirt (presumably including allergins) to appropriately challenge their immune systems to develop.
And the pictured dogs, which suspiciously resemble those dogs in the New Yorker cartoons whose owners in turn resemble them, certainly are capable of introoducing enough dirt in their moppy coats to induce an immune stimulus.
But : will it induce a fiscal stimulus??
Isn't that really the issue here?
Because on the more basic question, we already know the answer:
DOGS RULE.
Posted by: ornery | February 1, 2009 9:55 AM
Sorry, but as the "mom" of a wonderful Golden Retriever I have a real problem with the price of so called designer dogs that are in essence "mutts" If you're concerned about allergy issues look to the breed sites and qualified breeders for answers. Dogs add so much to our lives but be sure you are ready for the committment and research your choice. No dog deserves to be in rescue because of your shortsightedness.
Posted by: Elizabeth Mahoney | February 1, 2009 10:09 AM
If they were SMART, they would have ADOPTED a pet considering all of the homeless animals out. Very irresponsible!
Posted by: stephanie | February 1, 2009 11:08 AM
"Jim"--Look. Obama laudably said to his constituents what FDR said to a union leader, what LBJ supposedly said to Martin Luther King, (basically) "Yes, I should do what you ask of me--now get out there and make me do it/make it possible for me to do it."
OF COURSE THE WAR CRIMINAL BUSH WAS A DISASTER. WHEN I SEE THE PRESIDENT I SUPPORTED BEING LED ASTRAY BY THE MILITARY INDUSTRIAL COMPLEX--OUT OF SUPPORT FOR THE GUY I COMPLAIN.
http://www.pbs.org/moyers/journal/01302009/profile.html
Posted by: You don't understand TRUE loyalty, do you Jim? | February 1, 2009 9:42 PM
Screw the breeders. Go to a shelter. We have now owned four dogs from humane societies and kill shelters and I wouldn't trade any of them for the genetic degenerates that go to the highest bidder and start deteriorating around age three. Well, maybe one, but she's our little work in progress. Make it about the dog, not the owner.
Posted by: Bubba ✔ | February 2, 2009 2:26 AM
What about a green dog? Cartoon Matilda has been campaigning for 1st dog since early December. It's just a fluke that Obama wants a Labradoodle and Matilda is one. She has a lot in common with President Obama. She's a mutt and her mom is white (Labradoodle) and her dad is black (Standard Poodle) Her Barack is as good as her bite! You can see her plea to the President at toonecards. In this economic climate, it's nice to know that smiles and toonecards are free. If you want to see her press release just email me.
Posted by: Matilda | February 3, 2009 2:32 PM