Williams: White House dog to be cherished regardless

Last fall on election night, like any other doting dad, President Barack Obama announced to his girls in front of over 100,000 supporters in Chicago's Grant Park, "I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House."

I bet that was the highlight of Malia and Sasha Obama's evening. Forget about daddy just winning the presidency, “we're getting a puppy!” And I was excited for them. Watching that moment took me back to when I was a little girl and while all my friends wanted Barbie dolls, pretend tea sets and Easy Bake Ovens, all I wanted was a dog of my own.

I thought how wonderful it would be for the Obama family to be able to research breeds and select the right one for their family. For me, waiting for the arrival of your puppy before he's even been whelped is almost as exciting as anticipating the birth of a baby. It's fascinating watching how a puppy progresses from 1 day, 7 days, 3 weeks, and 8 weeks old in photos from the breeder. And then when the day arrives that you go and actually pick up the puppy, magic happens.

Unfortunately that was before President Obama was to learn that getting a puppy is taboo and totally apolitically correct in today's socio-political climate. According to PETA (People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals), getting a puppy is elitist and like killing a shelter dog. The Humane Society of the United States stuck it to Joe Biden big time when he got his German Shepherd pup. There was no way the new president was going to face the ire from either of those two groups. Our economy is in shambles and our troops are still in Iraq. That's where his attention needs to be, not on trying to dodge bullets concerning his children's dog.

I used to breed and show Irish Terriers 20 years ago, but boy am I glad I don't breed dogs anymore. Currently there is such an anti-breeding sentiment regardless of what an owner's breeding practices are, to the point of where even suggesting that you want a purebred puppy brings backlash.

During one of our visits to Los Angeles, while on a photo shoot with my Maltese dog Andrew for “The Greatest American Dog” TV show last year, a woman with half-a-dozen or so Chihuahuas and Chi-mixes in tow, interrupted the photo shoot and asked, "Did you rescue that dog?" I responded honestly, "No, I've had him since he was a puppy." "Well you should be ashamed," she responded and stormed off. Without even knowing me or anything about me, because I had a purebred dog that wasn't rescued from a shelter, I was a bad person. Had she bothered to stop and talk to me I would have gladly shared with her my background and how I fully acknowledge and support the need to rescue dogs, have been a foster to many homeless pets, and volunteer my time and services to rescue organizations.

Just the night before, Andrew and I had been celebrity guests at a Best Friends Animal Society holiday fundraiser in town, but she didn't care to learn any of that. She'd already judged me.

It's indisputable that the pet over-population, number of dogs in rescue and euthanized each year is disgraceful. I don't know how anyone would argue that point. However the sentiment that anyone who wants a purebred dog, for whatever reason, should have to defend that decision is a bit unsettling. The Obamas are not the only ones. It seems that anyone who expresses an interest in getting a purebred puppy from a breeder is strong-armed, bullied or guilt- tripped into getting a rescue instead.

There are some very legitimate reasons someone might choose to get a purebred puppy from a reputable breeder, and yes, there are still reputable breeders out there who love and do all they can to preserve the integrity of their chosen breeds. The depiction of all breeders as money-grubbing puppy mill operators is very unfair. I know many people who lose money showing and breeding dogs, but they continue because they love that breed. They have impeccable breeding practices, scrupulously clean and hygienic kennels and puppy nurseries, and they implement proper pre-breeding genetic testing and screening to decrease the risk of their breeds' predisposed health problems. Further, they properly socialize the puppies in their litters, closely screen prospective puppy buyers, and impose tight spay/neuter contracts. These types of breeders may not be typical, but they do exist.

If someone, particularly new or first-time dog parents like the Obamas wants to research and select the best breed for a particular lifestyle and personal needs, goes through the proper channels and wants the opportunity to raise a dog from puppy to adult, shouldn't that be a personal choice?

Since we know that a large portion of dogs end up in rescue and shelters because of training and behavior issues in the first place, wouldn't the cause be better served by educating prospective puppy parents about responsible dog parenting, and steering them toward the proper training resources that will ensure their puppy will have a forever home with them?

As I read about the increasing number of pets abandoned because of our current economic crisis it confirms that it's our relationship with our dogs that is faltering. People who have taken the time to train their dogs, work with their dogs and form partnerships with their dogs, don't abandon their dogs. Unfortunately there are many people who lack that kind of relationship with their dogs, and therein lies the problem.

Sasha and Malia, while you won't get the chance to watch your little bundle of furry joy go through all the different growing stages while embracing the world around him with wide-eyed puppy amazement, you will get to experience a different kind of joy that a shelter or rescue dog can bring. And this is not a consolation prize. Rescue dogs are often the best that anyone can ever have. You not only get a wonderful family pet, but you provide a second chance at life for a deserving dog who will now have a family who loves him and will take care of him forever. Dogs are very resilient and adaptable, and often a re-homed dog can fit into a family even easier than a puppy.

It appears the two finalists in the Obamas' selection process are a Labradoodle or Portuguese Water Dog. Both of these dogs are very high energy and require lots of training and exercise. But this is a good thing since training and exercising your dog are some of the best ways to bond and build a strong relationship together. So either way, puppy or rescue dog, our new first family is about to embark on a wonderful journey. Enjoy the ride!

Laurie Williams is a Stafford business owner. She recently appeared with her dog Andrew on the television show, “Greatest American Dog.” Reach her at onesmartpooch@aol.com.