Politically correct dogs?
I kind of feel sorry for the Obamas. Well, not sorry sorry, but I do feel a little badly for them, Malia and Sasha in particular. Most of us are able to select the dogs we share our lives with based on our own personal needs and desires. It's usual a very private decision and we don't have anyone else to answer to other than our own family members. One thing is certain, we've never had an entire nation waiting with bated breath to see and scrutinize what dog we pick. However Malia and Sasha didn't get that chance. The moment the soon-to-be President announced he was getting a puppy for them, (ha! in his dreams) they've been inundated with suggestions ranging from practical advice, prodding and gentle nudging, to warnings, and downright threats and demands from the general public, trainers, dog registries, political pundits, breeders, animal rights organizations and shelter and rescue groups. It became very clear from the start they would never be able to get the puppy (ha, in their dreams) they wanted, but would have to settle for the dog that would most be accepted and embraced by the entire nation.
What constitutes a politically correct dog?
1. Well, first, the dog would have to come from a shelter or rescue. Period. This is a non-negotiable. There is absolutely no way the Obamas would have ever been able to get away with getting a puppy, especially in this current climate where getting a puppy is deemed, according to PETA, the equivalent of killing a shelter dog.
2. Can't be a purebred, or or if it is, it needs to be a lesser known breed that isn't recognizable to the general public at first glance. And the scruffier the appearance the better. Purchasing a purebred dog could be considered elitist.
3. Can't be a small dog, and certainly not a girly dog, as Prez Elect Obama refers to "dogs that sit in laps and things." That might be perceived as weakness.
4. Can't be a dog identified with a country that we've ever been at war or odds with. So, no dogs of German, Russian, Japanese, French, Iraqi, or any Middle Eastern, African, Central American or South American origin for that matter. We wouldn't want to offend anyone.
And the Award for the Most Politically Correct Dog goes to..... wait, it's a tie! The Labradoodle and Portuguese Water Dog!
It's likely 99% of the general public have never seen or heard of a Portuguese Water Dog before now. Portugal is a country that stays out of the news and we've always had good relations with them. And have you noticed most of the photos circulating do not depict the Portie in the lion clip? Most of the photos depict ungroomed Porties that look nothing like the beautifully hand scissored ones you'd see at a dog show. And with the Labradoodle you get a hybrid of two breeds, the ever popular, America's favorite Labrador Retriever combined with just enough Poodle to make it hypoallergenic. Since it's been several days since the announcement and nobody is balking at those choices, I'd say whoever has been advising the Obamas on dog matters got it right!
There's no way we'll ever know if either of these two choices are really their true preferences. Personally, I think they wanted a Maltese. :) Okay, okay, if not a Maltese, then a Poodle, and I bet those little girls wanted the toy or miniature size. But sadly, neither are politically correct. Poodles, thought to be French, but are actually German would never make the cut.
Although it sounded sweet in his acceptance speech on election night, I bet the President Elect wishes he wouldn't have let the cat out of the bag about getting the girls a dog. They might have been able to quietly select their dog and discreetly sneak him into the White House unnoticed. Ha, in their dreams!
