Nov06
A Shelter Dog for the Bidens Too?
Posted at 11:43 AM | Permalink
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Comments (21)
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Hmm … what about having another rescue as the "second dog"? See, Senator Biden's wife promised him that they could welcome a "big dog" into their family if he were elected. She even taped pictures of dogs to the seats in his campaign plane to inspire him! This means that now that Senator Biden is officially the vice president-elect, he and Jill will start looking for the right dog to join their family. May we, again, suggest a rescue dog? There are some pretty big mutts out there, senator!
That's what PETA President Ingrid E. Newkirk has written in a letter to the Bidens—that the vice president-elect would be doing a great thing for animals by bringing another rescue dog to Washington. A home for a needy dog and another example for all Americans to follow? Sounds great to us. Click here to read Ingrid’s full letter.
Posted by Amanda Schinke
TAGGED:
shelters breeders joe biden vice president
Comments
This is great to hear. Make sure to keep us posed on this.
Posted by: SASHA | November 6, 2008 12:26 PM
What a sweet story. What wonderful people too for opening their hearts and homes to a shelter dog. Looks like Biden has something else to be proud about!
Posted by: Jess | November 6, 2008 01:49 PM
That would be great! And for the rest of us, let's not forget all of the needy kitty cats out there -- we have two rescue cats...one from the shelter and one adopted off the street.
Posted by: Kelly | November 6, 2008 02:14 PM
Ingrid's letter says they should get a mixed breed dog. I think the most important thing is they get a dog they like and that can adjust to their lifestyle and live happily in the home they can provide. Things like coat, size, age, temperment, and exercise requirements are important. If a person likes a particular breed or a particular mixed breed and they can find a worthy dog through rescue to adopt, then why shouldn't they have it? PETA thinks only mixed breed dogs deserve to be adopted? That's like saying if I am from an all Italian family that I am not as worthy as person who is a mix of Irish, Spainish and African. A dog is a dog and should not be blamed for their heritage...and don't start on the pure bred dogs are all sick. My rescued mixed breed hound dog is a complete mess. I love him dearly but his allergies, bad teeth, and low thyroid have been a real challenge to care for. I rescued him becuase nobody else would be bothered to care for him with all his health issues. When I went to get a second dog I chose a breeder that could provide proof they had completed thorough health tests on both parents prior to breeding. He has had no health problems. Which dog is better? Neither, I love them equally.
Posted by: joanna | November 6, 2008 04:55 PM
I hope the Obamas and Bidens wwere not just doing the politics as usual thing and speaking falsely about adopting.
Remember that Hillary Clinton isisted that they were going to adopt a dog when Bill got into the White House, but then some friend gave them a chocolate lab from a sleazy breeder.
So no adoption.
Obama and Biden claimed they were for "change." Well here's a great opportunity to move away from the elitist, right wing breeder industry.
Posted by: kelly | November 6, 2008 04:58 PM
Im soooo glad that the Obamas are going to get a rescue for a pet! When I heard Barack tell his girls that they were going to get a puppy, I immediately hoped that he would get them a shelter pup. I mean, what's more American than giving a second chance to a rescue!
Posted by: Rebecca | November 6, 2008 05:39 PM
Thank you for considering a rescue - May I suggest please a greyhound. we have rescued 2 and so happy to see that states are realizing that racing should be eliminated. want a big dog with a big heart- please consider a grey. you wont regret it-!!!!
Posted by: stacy maruschak | November 6, 2008 05:41 PM
I JUST KNEW THE CURRENT ELECTION WOULD BE GOOD LUCK FOR THE SHELTER BABIES.
SO HAPPY.
IT IS A GOOD BEGINNING.
"YES WE CAN"
OUR PROP 2 PASSED SO OUR ANIMALS ARE GETTING THE BEST LIKE THEY DESERVE.
Posted by: NANCY N | November 6, 2008 06:44 PM
I think it's a mistake to imply that shelter dogs are always going to be "mutts," as PETA does in this letter...
Some people like particular dog breeds, and they should be aware that they can almost ALWAYS find the specific breed they want in a shelter.
Posted by: Grant | November 6, 2008 06:52 PM
I hope Oprah gets in their ears too and ensures they both go the mixed breed/shelter route. She's a recent convert after she did the puppy mill story but I think she is a convert now. If these guys do rescue it will save literally millions animals lives down the road.
Posted by: Linda | November 6, 2008 07:05 PM
How about calling on them to ask to adopt a dog from Huntington Life Sciences or another vivisection hellhole?
I'll feel good about these people only if I see them get up in front of the public and show the graphic truth and really work to stop the horrors.
I want to see some real insight here, some real change we need.
Let's ask for more than just adopting a dog from a shelter instead of a pet store.
They can go further than that.
Those dogs at HLS and elsewhere are real, feeling beings that feel fear and pain and need love and care and a family.
In fact, how about some pigs and rabbits and others saved straight from various hells on earth?
Let's get some real Change here. I want to see some real progress that is outside the typical box!
Pet dog from a shelter is still not breaking any walls down. We need more! We want real hope here!
Posted by: drew | November 6, 2008 09:14 PM
Great letter, Ingrid! I hope the Bidens take it to heart and get their big dog at a shelter.
Posted by: lynda downie | November 6, 2008 11:34 PM
i have a special fondness for shelties (temperament, activity level, etc.) and got my last one at a sheltie rescue. i don't think ingrid is imply that "mutts" are more worthy than pure bred dogs, but they have a harder time finding a home. no dog deserves to be homeless!
Posted by: Tracey Mustain | November 7, 2008 02:42 PM
to joanna, who said she went to a breeder for her second dog - HOW DARE YOU! That means a perfectly find dog in a shelter died because you needed papers. That's disgusting. Not all shelter dogs have health problems, but you didn't even bother to check. Buying from a breeder is disgustingly irresponsible, in a world where millions die in shelters. You should be ashamed to be so conceited.
Posted by: stray | November 7, 2008 03:18 PM
Hi everyone,
Let's really come together to get the message out: Any companion animal, of any age, breed, disposition, etc., that is hypo-allergenic (an issue for the Obamas) can be adopted from a shelter. Let's begin a letter-writing campaign to the Obamas and to the Bidens to continue to encourage them to adopt, not buy! Here's the address for both:
The Honorable Senator [Barack Obama or Joseph Biden]
United States Senate
201 Russell Senate Office Building
Washington, D.C. 20510
Posted by: Marion | November 7, 2008 04:18 PM
Joanna, or should I say Miss Dog Breeder
the dogs that have all the problems are coming from the PUPPY MILLS and AKC breeders (thanks to inbreeding. Look it up. Learn something new. Health checks don't stop the problems of inbreeding, and EVERY purebred dog is inbred. It's how they make the breeds)
However dog breeders who want to sell dogs say that "shelter dogs have problems"
Shame on you!
Posted by: Janis | November 7, 2008 07:56 PM
Leave these people alone and let them pick the dog they want. Big, small, cute, ugly, young, old, pure breed or mixed breed --it's their choice.
Posted by: John Diaz | November 8, 2008 03:20 AM
Thank you Marion for that address.I wrote it down on an envelope just now and will be writing my letter today!
Posted by: Bunnylove | November 9, 2008 12:41 PM
Janis, What my post pertained to was that some pure bred dogs are just fine and healthy and people who are against breeders/AKC/puppymills should be considerate and not bash pure bred dogs in general. Go ahead and bash breeders, just don't put all this blame on the animals. It can never be the dogs fault that he is pure bred, mixed bred, or whatever. It is not the dogs fault if he's sick, damaged by cruelty, negelected, or vicious. Focus on the problem, not the victim.
Posted by: joanna | November 10, 2008 07:31 PM
Beatiful letter PETA! Thank you for standing up for the weakest once again!
Posted by: NotBuyingIt! | November 10, 2008 10:30 PM
GREAT! I heard that Jeo Biden and his family have a dog, did that dog come from adoption?
I sure hope both Mr. Obama and his family will chose dog that will get along with Jeo Biden and his family's dog. Also, if the above is true, then I hope the two-dogs are given alot of time to spend with each other.
Posted by: Jason 'Great White' (Shark) | December 17, 2008 05:29 PM