Who’s in charge?
By Uppity Woman on April 18, 2009 at 12:25 AM in Current Affairs, Michelle Obama, President Barack Obama
Dogs. They are wonderful, you know. They love to be part of their pack. Their pack includes you. They like to know the pecking order. They look for a leader. If they don’t have a leader, they become a leader.
This brings me to the question of who is in charge as the leader in the White House when Bo is around. It appears that Bo is.
I have been forced to endure a plethora of photos of Bo with his new family.
Bo supposedly spent a month with a trainer. Not bad for a “rescue … cough cough, cough.
The thing is, if Bo spent a month with a trainer, then someone needs to explain why it is that Bo is dragging everybody’s ass around the White House grounds in just about every photo taken.
There can only be one of two explanations: Bo went to a trainer who did nothing with him……..or Bo got to Pennsyvania Avenue and figured out that the rest of his pack are weak and there isn’t a real leader among them, so he’s the Leader now. Therefore, all past training no longer counts. And nobody has trained Bo’s people on how to handle a dog. That’s a huge part of dog training. Mostly, the trainer trains you. If you don’t know what to do, the dog will do what he thinks is best. Thus, Bo is now officially in charge. That isn’t going to go over very well for very long over in Narcissist Land. Witness, Bo walking Michelle in the above photo. And Bo isn’t anywhere near full grown yet. Bo is too much dog for the Obamas and that’s an understatement.
I love my dog. I know her body language. She is always telling me something. She looks at me. I know when she’s happy and I know when she has a problem. I take her to parades. I take her to romp in the woods. I run with her. She comes to the pet store with me and picks out her toys. I bring her to the homes of friends and she is always welcome. I want her around and she knows it. She has a half dozen different barks, from “I need a walk now” to “Something wicked this way walks, let me handle this”–and I know what every one of those barks means. When I am with her, I feel safe. When she is with me, she feels safe. If you come to my yard you will invariably run into some toys, a beach ball and a rubber pool. My dog and I never stop training one another. We know each other. She knows her pack of people and other pets, and she knows her position in that pack. She knows who the Leader is and that would be Me. One command from me, softly spoken, is her command. She protects her family, she loves her family and always, she knows what is expected of her. And we know what she expects from us. It’s not that I’m a superior dog owner. It’s just that I took the time to learn, and to give my dog what she needs–and in turn she returns the favor. We have a relationship. In other words, I really wanted a dog when I got her. That is why you will never see my dog dragging me across the lawn while I choke her with her leash.
You see, dogs don’t really much care if you are famous or not. Bo doesn’t even know or care that he just got shipped to the President of the United States. What’s more, if he did know, he wouldn’t give a crap. He’s not interested in photo ops either. He’s interested in being part of a family. He’s interested in being The Family Dog. He’s interested in being The Family Portuguese Water Dog, in fact. I’m looking at all these shots of Bo and I can honestly say by the body language of everyone concerned, Bo included, that Bo is about to have a problem. Bo also lives where people can disappear him. He could land alone in his Kennel a lot more than he wants to. Since he is showing leadership over the people in the White House, this isn’t going to go over well. Bo will be blamed that he doesn’t have a leader and became one instead. He will never sleep on somebody’s bed if this keeps up. Not that any of us envisions that he will ever be allowed to do that anyways.
Bo is going to be a big boy. And at six months, allowing him to drag people around on a leash is not a good idea. He won’t forget how to do this when he’s an adult. In other words, if these two quasi-adults think they are being dragged now, they haven’t seen anything yet. This is going to be a problem for Bo. He’s just being a dog. He’s got no leader, so somebody has to do the job. Still, he’s going to want to be with His Family. He’s going to want to go on those trips where there is water. He is, after all, a Portuguese Water Dog. That’s why Teddy has PWDs. Teddy takes his dogs with him on the yacht and on the sail boat and Teddy is a water person. This is a seafaring dog, strong-willed, every energetic and in need of some adventure. This is a dog that won’t adapt to being an ornament. He is not for the limp of wrist dog owner who has never had a dog in his life. You can tell that Teddy really loves his dogs and is in control. On the other paw, do we really envision Bo going along on Obama vacations where Dad can surf, choking and dragging everyone into the water? Really? We are talking about two people who have never owned a dog. That in itself is kind of strange, but then again, I am an animal lover. I can’t even imagine living into your mid -40s and never having lived with a pet. If you haven’t gotten around to it by then, you are just not a pet person. I also have never known a person who wanted a dog so badly that it took over a year to actually get one.
Bo’s only hope will be the Obama girls. But then again, if they are never given the opportunity to be Bo’s kids beyond the photo ops, then the bond will never occur. Malia looks like Bo’s Chance. She actually has a look of joy upon her face here. I must confess that there is something about this young lady that I like. She should be sent with Bo to a trainer where she can learn to be Bo’s Person and Leader and Companion. That dog will want to sleep at the foot of her bed. Somehow, I don’t envision Michelle and Barack , two people who never had the desire to have a dog until they moved to the White House, going for that, but maybe Malia will intervene.
Poor Bo. Unless Malia intervenes, in a few weeks when all the photo ops are over and the publicity wears off, Bo will be seen walking along the back acre with his Kennel Master, hired to feed and walk him. He will be trotted out for occasional photo ops and drag his owners along again. But you see, dogs don’t lie. Up to this point, I haven’t seen a single shot of Bo trying to kiss anybody. His tail is always down. He’s not looking at anyone’s face. He’s chomping at the bit, straining at the leash, contorting himself to get moving away. He looks like he just wants to get away from everybody and run. I see no shots of anybody on the ground actually playing with Bo. There are no toys hanging around in the shots. Just Bo, dragging one of his pack along.
Bo is an ornament. Bo isn’t going to like that. Bo should have been a goldfish. This is one time I wish to be proved wrong. Not for them, but for Bo–and maybe even for Malia.
——————————————————————————————————————
As a side note, I thought you might all like to know about two of those Presidents Barack Obama fancies himself similar to–and their pets.
Here’s FDR with his dog Fala. Fala went everywhere FDR went, long trips, short trips, meetings. Every morning, Fala was delivered a bone on the President’s breakfast tray. Falah slept in her own special chair at the foot of FDR’s bed. FDR truly loved animals. You can bet he had pets long before he became President.
Here is JFK and family with part of their menagerie of pets. The Kennedys were animal lovers long before they moved to the White House.
There is one President who is a bit of a disappointment in the pet department. Harry Truman was given the cocker spaniel puppy as a gift. “Feller” didn’t fare so well and the American public let Harry know just how awful they thought he was when it came to “Feller”. Not a lucky White House dog at all. According to the Presidential Pets Museum:
Feller, a beautiful blond Cocker Spaniel, was an unsolicited 1947 Christmas gift to President Truman. The Trumans elected to give the puppy to the White House physician, Brigadier General Wallace Graham. Dog lovers around the country attacked the President as being anti-canine. Dr. Graham, soon tiring of the press and publicity, decided to get rid of the dog. He had Truman’s Naval Aide, Adm. James K. Foskett, take Feller to Shangri-La (Camp David). As the camp was not open to the press this seemed to end the Feller story, until now. The Admiral left Feller with the chief-in-charge, Quartermaster Chief George A. Poplin. When Poplin was transferred, Charles G. Ross, President Truman’s secretary, came to camp and told Poplin to leave the dog there. Poplin was relieved as chief-in-charge by Damage Control Chief Ralph O. Loften, who in turn was relieved by Chief Boatswain Robert W. Lyle.
In 1953, while Chief Lyle was being transferred to Italy, he sought permission from Naval Aide Admiral Robert L. Dennison to take Feller. Permission was granted, provided that no mention be made that the dog once belonged to Truman. Robert gave Feller to his father, Archie Otis Lyle, who owned a farm just outside Greenfield, Ohio. There Feller lived for many happy years until he died of old age.
Not good, Harry. Not good at all. This story forever changed my entire opinion of you.
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I have no love for Mr. O, but it seems to me…they are new at this “dog” situation. They need time to adjust. OMGosh I cant be believe I am defending Mr. O. :p
The expression on Michele’s face makes me pity the dog. Animals have strong instincts like children. They know when they are not loved or wanted and their behavior reflects their environment.
Seems as if not a lot of thought went into this photo op and just how foolish it made that family which has been on such a pearly pedestal look. I don’t care that they have never had a dog before. They looked ridiculous out there. Ridiculous.
The dog’s name is BO…’Nuff said.
A Reading from The Obama Scriptures - The Lord’s Big Decision
http://www.liberalrapture.com/labels/a%20reading%20from%20the%20Obama%20Scriptures.html
…
You guys have read this over at Liberal Rapture, it is too funny and will leave you laughing or crying and laughing.
Oh, and the cliff hanger as to the answer is all over the news.
This looks like a great blog. The scripture posts are a crack up. Thank you for the link.
sounds like GO which he is doing lol…
It’s amazing how much some animals can tolerate, but poor Feller didn’t even have a person to call his own. I hope Archie loved him and treated him well. The Obamas never had a pet and it’s obvious from the photo ops, they are uncomfortable and Bo is in charge.
One thing I cannot criticize is anyone who loves dogs and takes good care of them.
I have a serious problem with anyone that abuses dogs or any other animal and am having a real problem with a jerk down the street that has his dog locked up in a cage all the time. He doesn’t know who I am, but I have left him a really nasty note that probably makes him wonder who is watching him.
My little sheltie has been having issues lately. She is only 8 years old but already has arthritis.
I have had xrays done and blood work and have her on a special diet to get some extra weight off her.
I just love my Lucy Lu….and all you dog lovers out there.
LOL we love you too. My babies are my life. My little Lulu sleeps in my arms. And I have Spenser and Phoebe, her brother and sister. All big, gorgeous lab/chow mix babies. I can’t imagine life without them. But I didn’t get mine for show. I can’t imagine this poor dog is anything other than “gee, there should be a White House dog.” Sorry to be cynical, but I don’t see BO, Sr. getting the warm fuzzies over a dog. It’s against his…well, you know.
I think it’s abusive to obtain an animal as a fashion or some kind of symbolic statement and not be prepared to care for the pet. There is soooo much that can be out sourced in this situation. I feel sorry for Bo.
Have you tried the raw food diet Larry mentioned a few weeks ago? It sounds like that might help her.
You have to be careful with salmonella, I’ve seen it happen from raw food diet.
Dogs are fairly impervious to Salmonella. You are not, so handling raw, you are the one who needs to be careful.
I feed my dog partial raw but won’t cross the line because I have known several dog owners whose dogs were on fully raw who got pancreatitis and that’s a death sentence for dogs. So I’m on the fence on completely raw, but I do give my dog raw eggs, raw meaty bones and raw chicken as about 1/2 her diet.
Raw food is a bad idea for dogs. YES, that is what they ate in the wild and that certainly is an argument for feeding it. However, it is quite possible, as one comment noted, for pathogens to get into the dog. In addition, unless you really know what you are doing, the diet won’t be balanced. JGug(DVM)
Don’t they give the dog digestive supplements and does the addition of yogurt help? Like I said, I am on the fence with this. I know a lot of vets are against it.
My first guess was that they would not get a dog, that it was a lie. I am still not sure if they would have gotten a dog had one not been gifted by the Kennedys. My second guess is that Bo won’t stay. He will either be sent away because of Sasha or Malia’s allergies (don’t recall if they said which girl has them) or they will say Bo was unmanageable because he was a rescue dog (yes, I know he wasn’t, but the Obamas will want it presented that way)or maybe he will be ill and euthanized (and I when I say that, I pray they have given him away, and just run the story that way).
By all accounts, the man is very involved with his daughters. He promised them a dog. Why would you think he wouldn’t get them one?
Because he’s a pathological liar, that’d be why!
Oh, yes, and promises mean nothing to Fraud Barry and I highly doubt his daughters mean anything either. Narcissists are incapable f love. Look it up.
That about wraps it up. LOL.
Bo already has a book deal, AND the book will be published NEXT week. So maybe they finally broke down and got the dog because it would look pretty bad if Bo’s book was released BEFORE the Obama had a dog.
MY question is which Obama supporter took the dog home for a little while so they could take it back in time for the Obama’s to “rescue” it. And How lucky was it the puppies official name is “Amigo’s New Hope”? A cynical person might wonder if this was the plan all along and they just said they wanted a pund puppy.
Ahhh…BO comes with a dowry.
So, I guess BO will be the 6 million dollar dog here pretty soon.
http://blog.newsweek.com/blogs/thegaggle/archive/2009/04/16/fun-with-math-what-s-going-on-with-obama-s-book-royalties.aspx
Great story Uppity Women, had pets all my life.
can’t imagine the history of 1600 with out them.
Remember the public outcry when LBJ picked up his Beagles up by their ears? I was so shocked.
make that just one “up”…
Barrack is clearly not a “dog person”. He looked rumpled and stressed that day. I do hope for Bo’s sake they learn to provide what the pup needs…
I would love to have a bunch of dogs like in the Kennedy picture above but I am afraid my much loved and oh so spoiled Black Lab would be crushed to have to share affection, walks, snuggles (he still thinks he can sit on my lap) and ball throwing time. He does not even look at other dogs. Our lil family is his world. He sits with me all day when I work and nudges me out of my chair when the picture window we look out all day calls us to chase squirrels and butterflys.
I am currently in the same bind. My 13 year old standard poodle — currently curled up on the bed happy as she can be — is my protector. I don’t know what adding a new doggie member to the household would do to her sense of who she is in my world.
As for Bo, training for the humans seems to be in order. Dogs know through the hold on that leash what’s what.
I have been a standard poodle breeder for almost 30 years. Your girl will always know her place in your world, but she might be irritated by a new puppy. You might be ok with another standard since they love other poodles.
A standard poodle would have been a much better choice for the family because they are smarter and calmer than Porties. The higher center of gravity makes them much easier to control than tha lower on leg dogs. I wouldn’t have sold a puppy to the Obamas; I want my puppies in homes where I don’t need to worry about them.
Mama I was saying the same thing over at my blog. They should have gotten a poodle. Or maybe even a Schnauzer, although they can be hyper. But I recall Teh One saying he didn’t want a girlie dog. Which is kind of funny since PWDs are pretty similar looking, only bigger.
You have the best sense and are no doubt spot on. Especially if it has been the two of you for so long.
The situation dictates what you can do, what is best for the both.
If you only had him a short while or there were many in the house hold, that’s another story.
Enjoy each other.
The elder Obama’s do not look comfortable with this dog at all. I suspect that the dog will eventually be given away to an aide or someone else with the excuse that the dog was somehow affecting Malia’s allergies. Poor dog. It’s not right to get a dog just for the sake of owning one. Dog’s deserve their owner’s loyalty and love, not the forced attention given by an owner whose main concern is photo ops with a “family” dog. Cynical, I am, but rightly so.
No, I don’t think you are “rightly so” cynical. You ARE cynical, however. That would by YOUR problem.
Having said that, I am concerned about the lack of training that the dog is getting. It is being allowed to pull on its leash. Barack either does not know how to stop that or is afraid that if he uses a choke collar he will be criticized. There are, other and often better ways. He could use a Gentle Leader dog collar. Most of you dog owners will know what that is. It is a device that goes over the dog’s nose and the owner has great control when using it. Someone needs to coach the President and his wife. http://tinyurl.com/cpy4w3 and http://www.bargraph.com/
This isn’t something for ya’ll to be outraged over. I have seen so many clients get more dog than they can handle and when I heard that this dog had been in another home I was concerned. My concern was justified, but there is no need or justification for anyone to disdain the Obama’s for the error they made. I just hope that someone gives them some help. JGug(DVM)
Yes I know a few people who use that gentle leader and like it. The dog really needs training though. Mostly, THEY need training on how to work with the dog.
Looks like a set up deal to me.
It’s true dogs know dog lovers by instinct. I have neighbors who have dogs (a Russell and a Lasha) who love me and go wild when they hear my car drive into the underground garage at the complex where I live…maybe they’re just smelling the Mr. Barkey’s biscuits in my pockets but I’d prefer to think they’d like me anyway.
PS Is anyone else having a problem accessing NQ? It’s taking forrrrreeeeevvvvver for me. I could click on a topic and go have dinner before it comes up…no problem with other sites…
No problems at all.
I am very respectful of peoples’s dogs, cats, etc. I understand that for many they are their children. I always watch or love to hear about touching animal stories, like the one about the 911 dog used to find the people still alive or dead in the rubble. This dog was used in the opening ceremonies of the Westminster Dog Show that year - a real tear jerker.
But, I am not a dog or cat owner and have no plans to be one for various and sundry reasons. Frankly, I can understand the Trumans deciding a dog would be too much in those days when they didn’t have the kind of help the Obamas and other WH families have had in recent history for such luxuries. I’m quite sure if the Obama girls or their parents aren’t able to walk, feed, bathe the dog, there is an expert on hand to do it for them, only better. No worries either, if they are gone for a week to 10 days and can’t take the dog.
Therefore, I think it is unfair to judge President Truman so harshly when you are not even sure as to why they did not accept the dog with open arms. At least temporary homes were found for ‘Feller’ until he was settled permanently with the farm family. He wasn’t taken off and put out on a road somewhere with a ‘good luck and God bless’. At least he lived a long life which means he didn’t die of a broken heart or depression at a very young age.
I find it hard to criticize Harry when he was forced to live with his wife’s mother who wouldn’t even allow his Jewish friend in the house. What makes you think these ladies would welcome a gift dog? Obviously it wasn’t Harry who famously said “If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog.”
No problem with help for the Obamas - Michelle has added a full-time makeup person - something even Nancy Reagan, an actress, didn’t do.
Michelle’s Make-up Crew will probably grow. Expect her to add one Operator for the Mixer, one Helper to shovel the sand and dry ingredients and one Apprentice to lay out the hawk and trowels for the Artist.
Hey placing a dog happens. I just happen to think that the President could have been more conscientious about placing that dog so that it didn’t get bounced around for life.
Thanks. I seem to be able to post now…it’s a mystery.
As a 2 big dog owner, it’s plain the the Obama fam hasn’t the faintest idea of what to do with this critter. THEY need some serious training - and soon -or that dog will run all over them. However, owning a dog is hard work and maybe they won’t be interested.
looks like too much dog for them…
I was surprised that the dog had been in training for a month… what? they didn’t work on leash manners?
(2 BIG dogs here also)
Give it a rest. It was Bo’s first day and he was being presented into a Media scrum. Even the best of pooches would have issues in such conditions, never mind a puppy being dumped into a strange environment.
The president is like many parents who take on pet owning at the insistence of their children. The girls wanted a dog and the Obamas finally buckled under the pressure. Sasha and Malia have probably been campaigning for a dog for quite a while and would not take no for an answer even with the allergy situation.
The girls got their dog, be happy for them. The parents, who just happen to be the president and the first lady, will now have to explain to their children the new responsibilities the children have taken on. Like many other parents they are less thrilled with the new addition to the family than the children are. They are aware that the “kids dog” may soon default to them. It is a scenario played across thousands of homes every day when parents bring “the kids new dog” home for the first time. And yes for some of those parents it is the first time they have shared their home with a pet.
Yes, dogs do need leaders, they are pack animals and they operate under a rigid hierarchical structure. They need a place in the structure– alpha to omega. As this particular pooch is a working breed that makes Bo a very high-maintenance pet. But he is still a dog, a pack animal domesticated to human needs. The animal has no special powers of observation, nothing to reveal about the Obamas other whether the First Family are dog people or not. Being a Dog person does not afford one special status. Remember Adolf Hitler was superb dog person, he fussed and fidgeted over his Alsatian “Blondie” no end. Hitler was great with dogs–people were another matter.
Many a pet has been dumped off at the SPCA or animal shelter or less favorable places because people got them without realizing how much responsibility they are. Parents should never get one just because the kids want one-THAT’S JUST PLAIN STUPID.
When someone is in their 40’s and never had a pet, that is an obvious clue they don’t like animals that well.
oh yes, when the “pc” pressure is on.
When movies are made (101 Dalmations)
…the amount of dalmations being abandoned after the huge sales is incredible.
This “me” society doesn’t give much planning and thought.
Perhaps I might have mentioned that choking and yanking a dog’s neck can damage him for life. There, now i’ve mentioned it.
As in PHYSICAL damage.
Getting Bo was all about image, not because the Obamas are dog lovers. That’s why Bo is their first dog.
I find it unlikely that they’ll keep him - or if they do, they’ll just let the staff raise him.
But, as others have also noticed, “Bo” is like Obama’s initials. Maybe like Obama, Jr. Maybe like the son he never had. With his ego, I wouldn’t put it past him to name a dog after himself, since he doesn’t have a son.
(of course having said that, I have no idea what the dog’s gender is)
Uppity rocks! Great post. Whole family loved it! Thanks for the laughs!
They should buy a Gentle Leader. Works well w/ my dogs. Mimics the mother dog’s discipline of the puppy. We call it doggy Prozac.
We got one for our newest dog (who we got in the pound in NJ and I SWEAR is part Jersey Devil) but could never get it to work right, I watched the darn DVD 3 times but still didn’t work, we moved on to a harness THAT seems to be working.
Oh her new trick is..I sit on a pillow on my computer chair and she figured out if she bites it and backs up she can pull me away from the computer.
When I read that they wanted this specific breed I could not help but think someone was picking out a pet by what it looks like rather than what it acts like. These are hunting dogs and very high energy especially when young. Good luck to them but they need to place this dog with someone who has time, energy and lives on the water and get the girls a toy spaniel or poodle. Or even better get an old dog. Mine is a 8 year old collie mix and loves all children. They should have contacted Cesar Milan!
Bo will be under the bus in another couple of months. But at least we’ll get to play with him.
I’ve been around dogs (and cats) most of my life and that dog is not happy. None of that family has bonded with him; they are strangers the dog doesn’t seem to trust yet. Didn’t Soertoro/Obama know that, although most presidents had pets, it wasn’t a requirement for the job? And I agree with the goldfish comment; they should have started small, like a hamster. And like Uppity Woman said, dogs are shrewd judges of character and that photo op of BO almost pulling Soertoro/Obama off his feet says it all.
Any good trainer will tell you… it’s the person who needs training. Not the dog.
In this case, I would guess that the “training” was done in a vacuum… away from the family. That’s a real shame. Because malia and sash are at the perfect age to learn.
r2d2 said “Getting Bo was all about image, not because the Obamas are dog lovers. That’s why Bo is their first dog.” This is dead on target. After being the pack leader of 3 Goldens - 2 rescues - for the last 13 years and working with rescues to foster, I knew in an instant what the real deal was when I saw those photos. They are clueless and powerless over BO. Oh, they have the power to keep him out of photos or to lock him in a kennel, but they don’t have control in public, thus we may never see Bo.
This whole dog thing is a sham. Nothing but PR to fit an image he has in his stinking head but that will never come to be. Bo was a terrible choice for them despite the allergy issue. Kennedy did Bo no favor. Just wait til Bo is 7 months old. That might be the month they find Malia can’t tolerate the dander.
Ever since I read Wolf Blitzer announced Sasha’s middle name was Muhseen, as muslim a name as is possible and the one the Obama’s hid the entire campaign… and I’ve also heard that some muslims are taught that dogs are vile…well face it, this is not a cohesive picture they paint.
>>> I’ve also heard that some muslims are taught that dogs are vile
And that be RAYCISS, ’cause I never taught any of my dogs that Muslims are vile.
Or particularly tasty.
I love dogs and have been around them my entire life. This whole thing makes me incredibly sad for Bo.
I predict that the dog will be gone in short order (he can’t be housebroken, etc.) because this is going to make for some very unflattering photo ops and Obama can’t allow anything which puts him in a bad light.
Pity the poor dog which has to put up with these dreadful people (kids excluded).
Auh yes, UW! Spot on. Excellent piece.
As Me-chelle is the last person to want to be trained to work with “Bo doggie”, because she doesn’t even want to raise her daughters, dragging Mom in to do it, hubby’s expecting she receive the first bite, not kiss.
Sadly it’s true, I think this dog is going to be a sad dog for what ever time he is kept at the White House. This was just one of those “traditional” things they were hoping they could have avoided. And, considering their lack of desire for one, they probably should have. This at least involves an animals life, unlike dissing the press at Gridiron or not throwing out the first ball, because he just can’t handle embarrassment, this one involves someone elses life.
Maybe we should all send the w h cans with rocks in them.
Talk about dogs following their humans. We had an Irish Setter growing up, Kojak, that was the best family dog. He went everywhere with us. When we thought we could climb the wooded hills behind my Grams house and we took him with us, to putting my Moms wigs and our clothes on him.
He listened and allowed us to just exhaust him with our craziness and gave us so much joy. If we adopted some kittens, he let them sleep close to his chest.
Kojak new he wasn’t allowed on the sofa. And yet, WE ALL KNEW when we weren’t home, he would get up there looking for us through the big picture window. He would never attempt going on the sofa when we were home, but as we pulled up in the car, there was his nose sticking through the curtains. (the only way was if he was on that sofa in front of the window)
I made it down for a surprise visit to my Moms after moving up to New York (obviously older). When I was sitting on the couch I called Kojak over. I asked my Mom if he could come on the couch and she said “Oh sure” (I think we were trained ) I tapped the couch and I said “come on Kojak”. He walked up to me, stared at me, turned around and backed up to the sofa. He then lifted his bum and rested only that on the sofa with all four legs on the floor. I just about died laughing at that moment and just gave him the biggest hug. It was just too perfect.
That actually ended up being my last memories. He got attacked by dogs, getting out of the yard while I was there and we had to rush him to the emergency. The Doctor stitched him up then gave us the bad news he had heart worms. My Mom didn’t want him to go through the treatment, because he was old and didn’t think he could take the poison, so the Dr. talked my Mom in to just giving him a shot to kill the eggs.
I had to leave to go back home and apparently Kojak new he wasn’t going to make it. Never going in my Moms room, he found his way in the next night to lay down next to my Mom’s bed and died. He still makes me break down in tears at the thought.
What joy that dog gave us.
MO looks kinda stressed by BO, dontchathink?
LMAO!
You are so, so right, and THANK YOU for saying it, and for saying it so well Uppity. You nailed it!
They have NO IDEA what they’re doing; and they’re in for some big surprises I can tell you that. Six months is easy; if they are this hesitant with him at this point…well, let’s just say, it’s not going to be much fun in another year.
It is completely obvious in all of the pictures of Bo with his new family that the Obamas are hesitant, weak, clueless, unsure of themselves, and in some of the pictures with the girls–afraid of Bo.
Maybe Bo’s trainer could be persuaded to come and train the family for a few months. Because from the looks of it, they need it.
We own Bo’s sister. Bo and our dog Bell have the same Father.
Bell is currently living with my in-laws do to her driving me nuts, and my in-laws not wanting us to give her away.
I hope they took out extra insurance on the White House furniture, ’cause they’re going to need it. Bell chewed off all four corners of our coffee table. She’s also chewed and destroyed two kitchen cabinet doors, and she has an obsession with chewing the hair off the front of her legs when she gets bored.
Bell IS a very loving and affectionate dog, so is our other Porty; Lizzie. But the problem with Porties, is the same problem you’d have with Border Collies (One of the smartest of dogs); they have to be in an active environment to keep them entertained. Otherwise, they they find thing to entertain themselves that may be destructive.
So true. If you’ve got an active, smart, high-energy breed like Portugese Water Dogs–or australian shepherds, border collies, etc–you need to know how to be the leader, and you have to spend a lot of time with them giving them activities to engage their minds, and their bodies. They crave it, and if you don’t….well, those pretty designer boots MO was wearing when she tended that little “garden”? They won’t live long. And, her favorite chair or couch might not live long either.
It’s not good when urban elitists who eat arugula and waygo and garden in designer boots think they can just “hope” their way into the perfect dog. This isn’t really something you can “stage” Obama. Better Call Cesar Milan!
Ha…
Same for Weimaraners. It kills me that, after living in hotels, motor homes and condos for 15 years I finally buy a home with a lawn and a view and a 700 acre park across the street but the house and yard are not big enough for an upland game dog.
Hard to overcome my Rooineck’d (look it up), gun-toting, quail-slaughtering, Bambi-bopping roots, I suppose.
Looking for a runt, really, realllly relaxed Weimaraner or German short-haired Pointer.
Or, something under 12 pounds from the Shelter that looks at me like it wants to be my Buddy…
Get a Schipperke. Great little dogs.
OMG Snarling. I don’t know whether to laugh or wince!
I feel sorry for the dog, these people wanted this dog because of the political mileage it would bring, it was a good photo op, every other President had a pet so the Obama’s needed one too.
When the novelty wear off Bo will be cast aside for someone else to take care of him, poor Bo seems to know this and is already dragging his self to the nearest exit wanting to go elsewhere.
I was taught by my father who owned black labs and a Norwegian Elkhound how to be a responsible pet owner. The Norwegian Elkhound was given to us because he wasn’t working out with the young children in former family. “Brago” did well under my father’s discipline and care.
I would have been happier to see someone running with this energetic dog (on the leash) or tossing him a ball. Bo’s not going to work out if someone in the family doesn’t understand the best methods of training him, many of the ways pointed out here by Uppity.
Every minute of time and affection that I’ve given to my cats, I’ve received double back in return. I hope Bo can become more than “just a pet” to this family. His happiness may lie with Malia becoming a responsible owner.
Like others above, I feel sorry for Bo. Like others above, I don’t think Bo will stay very long with them. But, probably Bo belongs to the Kennedy’s and it will end up back with them once the photo prop is no longer needed.
When I saw the photos and read your first couple of paragraphs I started thinking, how soon until BO is “donated” to a nursing home or troubled youth center.
I’m guessing that Barack feels he really owes Kennedy if he took a dog that isn’t really suited for two children living in the White House. This from dog breeders in the area.
When my boy brought his puppy home the carpet cleaner was left out because of all the messes made until he was trained. Part of pet ownership for a child is the responsibility of caring for and cleaning up after it. Something Barack and Michelle don’t seem to be inclined to help the girls with.
An intervention by The Dog Whisperer Cesar Millan is in order. I do so hope that he offers his expertise. There are a lot of staff supporting this whole regime. Hopefully more than one among them is a dog lover to the nth degree such as you, Uppity Woman and will establish the required alpha male or female role with the dog. I do feel sorry for Barack and Michelle because they waited so long to have a dog in their lives and now they have so little time required to devote to becoming the pack leader. Bo and the two girls are the only part of the pack whom I admire. You’re right about Malia. I think that she is really the one for whom the dog was adopted. I’m keeping my fingers crossed that Cesar Millan is hired to train her and Bo.
I’m not fond of Milan. I still believe that one of these days one of his clients is going to try that subjugative roll over,belly up routine and get his face eaten off. It may come as a suprise,but dogs actually know we aren’t dogs too.
I’m cynical to a high degree, but I really believe that Barack and Michelle kept their promise to the girls and got the dog for that reason. They wouldn’t be the first parents who not knowing anything about dogs took in the wrong breed for the family situation. But, we forget that they have lots of people around them who offer professional advice. Maybe a lot of thought did go into their choice. They have plenty of money for the best in dog care. They have a lot of domestic help for feeding and cleaning. They have a huge yard, at the White House and Camp David. They have all kinds of roomy transportation. There are always people around. And finally, they have two little girls at exactly the right age to have a dog. They are giving the girls what each of them didn’t, for whatever reason, get to have themselves when they were kids. And finally, finally, they live in a fishbowl where everyone is watching to see what happens to the dog. If anything negative were to happen the outcry would be super, super huge. Very bad publicity. Can’t be alienating potential voters. I think that the dog is going to be in a pretty darn good place all in all.
Wow! When it comes to anything Obama, you folks remind me of the person who bitched because he was bout to be hung with a new rope.
This blog used to be a source of good, solid information but since the election it has degenerated into a bash Obama site just one tiny step above the right wingnut sites.
Which is the reason I rarely check in here any longer.
Oh yes, I supported Hillary and did not vote for Obama.
Yeah, right, troll. How many of you nuts can they send here in ONE day? Shoo little Bot.
All you really have to do, moron, is to look at the history of my activity here. You are a sterling example of what is wrong with our nation.
You didn get your way so now you whine and complain about every little thing.
Grow up and do something with your life.
Someone just has to give the first couple a few pointers. Green light, red light worked pretty well for my dogs (slack leash equals green light, pulling equals red light). Perhaps the dog whisperer could pay them a visit.
They should have gotten a cat ! And I’d be surprised if now they didn’t.
http://www.listable.org/show/presidential-cats
A cat’s way to smart for them. lol.
you got that right..and you would know Uppity.lol..
LOL–I think you are right about the cat! Our family has 2, but we are also dog lovers–my Vizsla is my best bud: http://sonicninjakitty.wordpress.com/snk-gallery/
And NONE of our animals are for ’show’–they are for receiving our love.
OH!!! I would LOVE to have a Vizsla, but I don’t have a big yard.
Caption to first three pics:
Obama: “When they said Ted Kennedy was sending me a dog, I thought they meant Deval Patrick!”
I am starting to come around for Michelle. In the above pictures, while Michelle’s posture with the dog is all wrong, the expression on her face tells me she’s focused on the dog and she’ll probably be the one to watch Dog Whisperer or find a solution.
Meanwhile Barack is grinning ear to ear smiling for the cameras (everything with him is for the cameras) as the dog runs all over them.
Michelle is the “heavy” in the relationship - her husband is not very detail-oriented and can so often be naive. So she has to do the worrying and the looking out for danger b/c got knows her husband doesn’t.
They should have gotten a shelter dog. My “pom” was five years old when I got him from a shelter. He has been my BEST FRIEND
. I could take him for a walk and he would never leave my side I would leash him but there were times when he indicated that he wanted to be “off” the leash and the times that I would give in to him he “NEVER” once tried to leave me. Shelter dogs are so appreciative and loveable. The Obama’s look really uncomfortable with BO and BO intern look the same with them. It seems if they take him off the leash he will talk off like a bullet.
I think Malia really wants to try to do the right thing, but MEcHELLe grabbed the leash away from her and had to take charge as she always does. They all seem rather powerless and reticent in the presence of her overbearing personality. To my eye, the new dog seemed most comfortable with Malia until her dear mother took charge.
As for Cesar Milan….he’s not the most “compassionate” trainer on the block. Some of his techniques have been labeled as rather cruel by those in the know.
The Obama’s never wanted a dog, and Obama hasn’t the guts nor the pride, nor the principles, not anything else, for him to be a real person and stand up and tell the USA that he and his family do not want a family pet. He’s such a ZERO, that of kind of CHANGE he cannot stomache making - even policy for himself and his own family. He bowed down to the powers that control him, again. They took as long as possible before they picked out a pet they didn’t want, now the show for America is on, and no, none of them know how to control a dog. It’s time to call in the dog whisperer and get the elite available lessons.
The whole thing makes me sick, and reminds me of how he tossed his raging racist preacher under the bus and didn’t stand up for himself or his family.
Here once again, he caved in to the endlessly readitional mindset that the potus must have a family pet. I don’t know when it started, nor do I care.
I think Obama should have been a man and said he and the Obama family aren’t doing it, then like a decent leader he should have asked his closest circle who was into it, and provided a SUBSTITUTE for the pet lovers of the USA. Whomever it was could have the national pet, and the press could have fun blabbering about the differences - in endless comparison to how it used to go - and the pet lovers could have a feild day of learning and comparing.
But Obama is a weak kneed pliable prince, who cowers to pushy overlords and managers and polls, and will be molded into anything and everything under the pressure he cannot and will not resist.
His talking teleprompter is a clear and absolute example of that.
Whatever the pushy minder powers force Obama to do, he will do. No better and perhaps worse than the “clueless GWB” - who on the other hand at least had a stubbourn streak when he felt he was right no matter what, and didn’t cave in there, no matter what pushy minders said.
The molded silly putty potus family, and their fake love for the house pet.
Michelle looks like she’s never walked a dog in her life! They need to get Ceasar Milan to show them how to be the pack leader!