HypoAllergenic Dog From Shelter is Totally Possible! What's Obama's website for feedback?

[TxBlue]

We have several rescue dogs and all but 1 are pure bred dogs.

Getting an hypoallergenic puppy dog AND a shelter dog are NOT exclusive.

Been to shelters and you'll see many purebreds. Shocking really that someone would pay hundreds of dollars for a breed especially since most of our dogs were DUMPED! We live in the country and EVERY summer dogs are dumped all over the Texas county where I live.
On our small country road, several dogs in July and August are dumped. These are obviously "city" dogs and many are pure breds.

How do we get the word to Obama or our First Lady-elect?

[DrPresident]

1. www.change.gov

[brooklynite]

2. Not really sure this is the appropriate site for personal issues like pets...

[TxBlue]

5. As appropriate as it is for PresElect to discuss at his First Presser!

It's for the Pres. Elect. How's that personal?

[TxBlue]

7. Not really personal...Obama has made issue of Shelter Dogs...big problem in this America

There are thousands or is it millions of pets killed every year in animal pounds in America. Many are just dumped out in the country terrified and with no ability to fend for themselves in the wild. Coyotes and other wild animals kill them.

People toss and dump them like discarded kleenexes.

It's a national disgrace....not a "personal" problem. Seems like Pres.-Elect Obama recognizes it as a national issue to address or he wouldn't have brought it up.

[slampoet]

3. I have a purebreed PUG and she is a rescue dog from a shelter. In fact she was twice sheltered as a

puppy. We got her at 6-7months. She had a hard life but we spoil her now with lots of Bacon.

[goodgd_yall]

45. I have a cat

But I'm hankering for a dog, maybe after she passes. I might very well get a pug. I like the black ones in particular.

[TxBlue]

4. We've rescued from shelter or from dumped on the road the following:

1. Pure bred Blue Heeler - Love of my life, goes everywhere with me and stars in local tv commercials! Found her in middle of road with her puppies. Took her to shelter but then redeemed her and took her home. She's been a blessing ever since. Her pups all went to homes from shelter.

2. Harry Truman is our Pure Bred Walker Hound....showed up in front horse pasture starving to death. Had only 1 or 2 days to live. Every bone in his body was showing. He's fine and healthy...fatter than a butterball! Not really fat but healthy.

3. Picked up Pure Bred American Bull Dog...beautiful black and white puppy dumped at local gas station with claw marks all over him. Vet thought he was dumped because he wasn't aggresive enough and had been used to train for pit bull fights. Now healthy, loving lap dog... all 80 lbs!

4. Catahoula / Aussie mix

5. Golden Retriever - ok, I did buy her 7 yrs ago before I knew how dogs would pick you or you could go to shelter and watch for a particular breed.

There are others we've rescued but they've passed on and each are buried under their own pine tree in our yard.

[Ozma]

6. Stupid question from a cat lover, and dog lover, but not dog owner.

Does hypo-allergenic dog mean short haired???

I don't know mutts about dogs!!!!

[shraby]

8. Some dogs don't shed at all.

[TwilightGardener]

9. Allergies come from a reaction to a dog's dander (shed skin cells/dried saliva), I believe--

not from the length of a dog's hair or from how much he sheds. Although a longer-haired dog might trap more dander, I suppose.

[TxBlue]

11. That's exactly right! Plus the hair shedding creates environment for dust mites to greatly

multiply. A lot of people are allergic to the dust mites also. Actually, the microscopic dust mite feces....I know, ewwww!

[LiberalFighter]

19. That is more correct.

I have two poodles that shed. I see their white tufts of hair every once in the while on the floor or recliner. And the black poodle I foster also sheds a little.

They both lose hair when they are brushed too.

[Mabus]

55. LOL, I have White German Shepherd. It looks a lot like Christmas here

Actually about twice a year she blows her coat and there's a trail of white hair wherever she goes.

fwiw, I've got three purebreds (WGS, Lhasa and Shih Tzu) that are rescues. One is from a shelter and the other two were given to us by friends before they were taken to a shelter.

[TxBlue]

10. There Really isn't a Hypo-Allergenic Dog or Cat However...

Dogs that don't shed like poodles, bichon frises, your hybrids like Golden Doodles, don't shed. However, they still produce dander.

There is a hairless cat...Mexican Hairless, I think that has no fur. Don't recall a cat that doesn't shed though.

The other thing that the Obama's daughter needs is a salt crystal lamp. I sell them and would gladly give them one if I knew they'd get it and use it.

I not only have lots of dogs, I have terrible allergies but don't suffer anymore with salt lamps.

Also, I'm currently illustrating a children's book featured another rescue dog, Aussie, so those are my caveats.

Yes, I like dogs ...and cats but have too many dogs for cat to be comfortable.

[cwydro]

22. What is a salt crystal lamp?

I have critters and allergies, though I've had animals for so long that I think my allergies gave up.

[TxBlue]

25. They clean the air naturally and kill viruses, mildew. Oh, and the pet odor Gone!

I forgot about that...our dogs get skunked especially in spring and fall and they get rid of skunk odor,as well as, the doggie odor.

PM me if you want more info. I don't want to sidetrack this thread from being about Obama's not giving up on shelter dog AND hypoallergenic.

BTW, those Obama girls are just cuties! I'm so delighted we're going to have the Obama family in the WH!

[foo_bar]

51. they evidently make aesthetically pleasing night lights

Don't be ridiculous. Of course our salt lamps work! Absotively. Posilutely. These salt lamps work wonderfully, owning is believing.

http://jilmil.co.uk/science.html

Our spies are everywhere and it seems last week's ludicrous "salt crystal lamp" is also being sold, of all places, in the Science Museum gift catalogue. Call me a pedant if you will, but I'm not sure it's entirely to the good of the scientific education of the nation for the the museum to be peddling made-up nonsense that advertises itself thus: "Crystals ... cleanse the air by absorbing humidity. The process releases negative ions which neutralise positively charged particles of air pollution, creating the fresh air found by the sea or in the mountains."

http://www.guardian.co.uk/education/2003/dec/18/science.badscience

My quackery of the day is the Himalayan Salt Crystal lamp. I’ve seen these a couple of times in New Age stores, and I saw them again in the local Black Lion while Christmas shopping. These lamps come with an extraordinary claim that they can improve your health. <...>

If you really want a device to release negative ions into your home atmosphere, though, don’t despair: you probably already have one or more. Contrary to what SaltLamps4U.com says, television sets and computer monitors are negative ion sources (the Cathode Ray Tube inside a TV is specifically designed to spew electrons), and you can see how much effect they have on your air quality. They certainly attract a lot of dust. Assuming that a 15-watt salt lamp has any effect at all, it will be dwarfed by a 40-watt television set, so there's no need to buy a salt lamp, anyway.

http://runolfr.blogspot.com/2005/12/himalayan-salt-crystal-lamps_14.html

I sell Salt Lamps becasue they are beautiful. To claim that they produce enough Negative Ions to clean the air of allergens is to prey on the jopes of consumers who really need medical assistance and not hocus pocus promises of a cure. Indeed, a Salt Lamp emits Negative Ions, but you would need a bunchh to really prurify the air.

http://www.allergizer.com/50226711/can_salt_lamps_relieve_allergies.php

If it makes you feel better I say light one up! <...>

With regard to the religious among the readers I will refer them to Matthew 5:13-14 Clearly a Salt Lamp fits the verses.

http://www.care2.com/greenliving/ask-annie-salt-lamps.html

[TxBlue]

60. TV's, computers create Positive NOT neg Ions! Opposite of salt lamps & attract dust

There is some misinformation in above post. TV, computers, cars, pollution, etc create Positive Ions which attract dust.

Salt Lamps create neg ions which carry a electron charge that makes allergens: dust, dander, pet hair, etc. heavy and drop to ground to be vacuumed.

There are reams of scientific studies on effectiveness of neg ionizers on respiratory health and ability to cleanse the air.

Air cleaners that attract dust (like Sharper Image's) work on the opposite principal of salt lamps. The Sharper IMage cleaners don't help. I know personally because I owned one and it never helped my sinus problems. Also, a class action lawsuit last year found Sharper Image guilty of making false health claims and now Sharper Image filed bankruptcy and is out of business. I threw that Sharper Image machine away. It was nuisance - took up lots of space, made noise, ugly, and positve ions are NOT good for people. It makes them irritable.

Neg Ions are what you find in abundance in nature by the ocean and waterfalls. It's been on Discovery channel about salt mines and salt lamps. People with respiratory problems like asthma, tb, copd, etc go stay in clinics in the salt mines for a couple of weeks at a time because the air is so pure.

I've had 2 sinus operations and been to multiple ENT's doctors for years with no permanent relief. Finally, I've found help and no, it's not hocus pocus. It's based on solid science. However, some with ties to the pharmo industry try to spread misinformation.

[TornadoTN]

24. Salt Crystal Lamp?

Help me with this concept, I've never heard of it. I suffer from allergies myself (I take shots but it only helps in cycles), so anything that helps I'm willing to try.

[TxBlue]

26. I'll PM you

I've had horrible sinus....it was worse moving from VA to OK and TX when younger. Sinus surgeries, sinus infections. It's usually very humid here although now we're having a bit of a drought.

[SoCalDem]

17. Usually the allergy is to the dander...

It clings to the hairs, and as the dog sheds...it wafts into the air and makes allergic people miserable..

Breeds that do not shed, still produce dander, but the fat that they must be clipped to remove excess hair, allows for careful and deliberate disposal of the hair/fur, does away with the allergic reaction..


The most important things for a parent is to remind their allergic kids to WASH THEIR HANDS after they play with the dog.. and to keep their hands away from their faces until they wash up..

We have an allergic son, and even though we had labrador and cats, he rarely had trouble with his allergies, unless he did not wash up..

[frogcycle]

56. No

I have violent allergic reactions to some dogs, not others.
Some shorthairs are just as bad as the others.

And it is not just whether they shed. A family member has a shorthaired dog that gets a bath before coming to our house. It enters the room; I am itching and stuffed up in a minute or two.

On the other hand, we have a Scottish terrier, and previously had a Wheaton Terrier - I can play with, handle, put my face right up to - no reaction whatsoever.

[joop]

12. Again, rescue GREYHOUND

very low dander, total purebreed rescue for an amazing cause and sooooooo good with kids. At least mine sure were. Damn I miss them.

[TxBlue]

15. Greyhounds are so gentle...rescues from tracks

yes, they are so gentle and quiet.

[TwilightGardener]

28. Greyhounds are wonderful--not barkers, and although they are reserved, the ones

I've met want to be near you, even if they're not doing loop-de-loops of joy like labs and beagles.

[joop]

30. My Bozzy was a leaner.

He would nuzzle right up to you and lean all 70 lbs of himself against your leg so you wouldn't go anywhere without him. God I loved that dog.

They're so regal and majestic. I just love the breed.

[TwilightGardener]

32. Aw. That was my experience with them too, as a shelter volunteer--

not the most obnoxiously "Love me!" demonstrative, but just liked being with you, next to you.

[TxBlue]

37. Beagles are really cute but they can bay!

[TxBlue]

13. Thanks for Change.gov .... Going to start crying again..for joy!

Wow, impressive site. I'm getting excited about how this country is going to improve under PresElect Obama!! Hope it turns around my Texan/Okie neighbors.

[Az_lefty]

14. A Bichon Frise is what they want....this from the American Kennel Club...

"His hair grows continually and does not shed, so extensive grooming is a must to prevent mats. Bichons also tend to be a good breed for allergy sufferers."

http://www.akc.org/breeds/bichon_frise/index.cfm

[TxBlue]

18. Bichon Frise are sOOOO smart. I love them

I use to have one...Coco. She was darling but a Golden Doodle would be good also. Both would be smart dogs. I wish I'd gotten a Golden Doodle instead of a Golden Retriever because she's sheds ALOT. But she's smart as a whip and knows English.

Bichons require professional grooming but wouldn't need as much exercise. A Golden needs a lot of romping.

[frogcycle]

57. FAR too elitist!

:rofl:

I am kidding, but actually it might be a consideration. Nobody who objects to arugula is going to accept his getting a Bichon!

[Clio the Leo]

16. It's not shocking that people pay big bucks for pure breeds ... it's DISGRACEFUL.

Sorry, that's a major pet peeve of mine considering how many good dogs are put down.

And totally agree about the greyhounds.

[TxBlue]

20. Should be criminal somehow to Dump Dogs

The only real solution is education and cultural. Leading by example by Obama family would help.

Sad especially when you think that many voted for Repubs and prolly are against abortion but will treat helpless animals like that.

[Clio the Leo]

23. Yep, and the only thing worse is paying big bucks for a cat. NT

[TwilightGardener]

27. Well, I buy purebred dogs, and I have also volunteered at my local

Humane Society, cleaning cat kennels and helping spay and neuter cats and dogs. I get very tired of people bashing others for wanting a particular breed of puppy who was the result of a planned and responsible breeding (rather than a backyard accident of dogs of unknown health and temperament). I have cared for pound pups and dogs, and most are sweet and all deserve homes, and many are indeed purebred, although that doesn't mean much if they are poor breed examples--but when you get them home, you may have brought home someone else's problem (doesn't always show up on behavior screening), and you then have to work on patiently training it out of them, or suffering the costs and consequences and heartbreak if you can't--there is a risk element. I like knowing what I'm buying, I like knowing what to expect from a breed, and I like raising and training puppies myself--they are little blank slates at that point.

[TxBlue]

35. You have some good points but the Obama's could find

a puppy to train from a shelter or rescue operation in a hybrid like a Golden Doodle, also.

That's true, if it's not a puppy it does come with issues sometimes. However, some of our dogs that were 1 yr. old have trained nicely. Spaying helps..all of ours are spayed. But definitely, each dog is different due to it's breed.

My point was that it's totally possible to get a pure bred or hybrid at a shelter also, though. Someone has a puppy and it's too much and they get rid of it or a pregnant one has puppies. There will always be a place for responsible breeders. The problem are irresponsible dog owners and changing their habits of dumping pets and also getting pets spayed.

[philosophie_en_rose]

21. Yorkies don't shed.

:bounce:

[City Lights]

29. According to the article below, they're holding off until Spring, so you should have time to

contact them.

Obamas to hold off until spring on First Pup
November 7, 2008 at 1:57 PM | Comments (2)

When President-elect Barack Obama warned it would take time to fulfill his many campaign promises, few imagined that his daughters' puppy would be among those immediately placed on the backburner.

Despite widespread interest in the future First Pup, the Obamas will wait until spring to adopt a pet, according to his transition staff.

Aides are quick to point out that Obama is not reneging on a promise. When he and his wife Michelle first agreed to let Malia and Sasha have a dog, it was always on the condition that the adoption take place in the spring so they wouldn't be housebreaking the puppy in the winter.

Malia, 10, reportedly wants a "goldendoodle," a golden retriever-poodle hybrid that isn't recognized as an official breed by the American Kennel Club. Michelle Obama favors a rescue dog but has said any adopted pet must have a hypoallergenic coat because of Malia's allergies.

No decision has been made on the kind of puppy, but America has already given the family plenty of advice. Obama's transition office has been deluged with e-mails and phone calls from people offering their input on the dog's breed and whether it should come from a pound.

Even the Tribune's editorial board weighed in on the matter, urging the public to quit barking out orders.

"We got to pick the president," the editorial said. "Let Sasha and Malia pick the puppy."

http://www.chicagobreakingnews.com/2008/11/obamas-to-hold-off-until-spring-on-first-pup.html

[TxBlue]

31. Oh Great! They'd have more puppies to choose from in spring!

Now if I can figure out how to send a salt crystal lamp as a gift to Malia...
I've never sent anything to a public figure before.

[TwilightGardener]

33. Well, they're smart. I just brought my new puppy home last weekend, and housebreaking

in the bitter cold and wet SUUUUHHHHCKS! Little wiener puppy does not like it. Prefers to go in the nice warm house instead.

[TexasObserver]

34. I hope they get a shelter dog.

[TxBlue]

36. Me too!!! I'm so excited about President- elect Obama

Will cry again Jan. 20th. Have never been this excited about a President.

I guess it took the last 8 yrs and that scary McCain/Palin debacle to make this sooo sweet!

[TexasObserver]

38. His children need to understand the duty they have now to do the right thing.

We need more demand for shelter dogs, not more demand for purebreds. Most maladies suffered by dogs are a direct result of the necessary inbreeding to achieve breed purity.

[TheCentepedeShoes]

39. I know they will pick the right puppy

at the right time.
I also think it will be great to have a President again who can use words like "hypoallergenic" without tripping over his tongue.

[jsmirman]

40. I am PRAYING they choose a dog from a shelter

it would mean so much.

[rainbow4321]

41. The pet finder website is a cool site, also

http://www.petfinder.com/breeds/Dog

I used it to adopt my schnauzer. Lots of rescue groups for every breed of dog. You pick what breed/your zip code and get a list of local rescue groups/foster families.

[TxBlue]

49. Great info, Rainbow! Thanks

If something happened to my blue heeler I'd have to another.

[progressivebydesign]

42. there are many breed-specific rescues that pluck doggies out of kill shelters.

If they have a particular breed in mind, that might be an option. Though it would be very hard to find one, a Labradoodle would be an excellent choice for them. Low on the allergens, and substantial enough and calm enough to be part of an active family. With so many people turning in all types of dogs to shelters in this financial climate, it might be an option.

[northernlights]

43. Smart of them to wait until spring

but everything they do is thought out and smart. It will be much easier on them and the dog to wait until the warmer weather and also until after they're settled in their new home. Also the girls will be getting out of school and able to enjoy their new dog all the more more.

I'm especially glad it was Michelle who wants the shelter dog. I think all the higher of her for it.

I expect they'll be able to do a hypoallergenic type of dog from a rescue without any trouble. There are so, so many of every type, from mutts to purebreds and probably even the "designer" crosses. By waiting, they'll increase the odds of filling all of their desires AND giving a needy doggie a home.

Something like 3 million dogs and killed at pounds every year because the no-kill shelters are overfull. Countless others are abandoned to die horribly and alone. My parents used to go away for weekends and leave me locked out in the street, so I know the fear and heartbreak of abandonment. This is a national disgrace. I hope they adopt from a shelter to bring attention to this matter.

[goodgd_yall]

44. This is true---just search www.petfinder and you'll see

And rescue organizations are almost as good as a shelter (except for those that are phony, ripoff ones).

[The True Adonis]

46. I vote Greyhound! Here are ours!

[TxBlue]

50. Beautiful! Love their blankets, too!

[jberryhill]

47. Considering He Was Endorsed by the Humane Society...

...I'm sure that he will get expert advice on selecting a rescued dog.

[pookieblue]

48. If they can't find one in a shelter...

I'm sure there is a rescue group for a hypo-allgeric dog (or whatever it's called.)
surely somewhere in this big country..there is a dog that fits their needs that needs a home and someone to love him(her).

[gblady]

52. Rachel had someone on....

who said he had overheard the possibility
of the Obama's getting two puppies...

I think the waiting til spring is a very wise decision...
the whole family has a huge living adjustment to make...
new house, new city, new school, new friends...
while its exciting, it's very stressful...

this will give time for them to settle in a bit...
get their sea-legs, so to speak...
and a calmer atmosphere for the new First Pup(s).

[1776Forever]

53. Malia's Goldendoodle.....I can't blame her for loving this breed...

[bklyncowgirl]

54. If I were a shelter manager with a sweet,hypoallergenic type puppy I'd be calling Chicago right now.

Imagine the terrific publicity. The Obama family visiting YOUR shelter. Sasha & Mallia hugging YOUR puppy.

I have a feeling they're getting tons of cute puppy pictures right about now.

[frogcycle]

58. Wheaten Terrier

Totally hypoallergenic.

We had one. They can have "issues" - excitable - lots of barking over the slightest noise, and ours was a picky eater. But totally lovable.

http://www.wheatenterrierrescue.org/AdoptionPage.html

[tblue37]

59. And if they want a purebred, there are plenty of rescue organizations that specialize

in rescued purebreds that need homes.