They claim they don't want to bother "responsible breeders". They claim they don't want to eliminate choice but that's exactly what is being demanded. Animal rights activists are calling the breeders of Biden and Obama's dogs "puppy mills" - despite zero proof of the allegations of previous descriptions of puppy mills. All breeders are puppy mills. They claim they're about choice but DEMAND no choice even among our leaders. People don't have the right to change their mind? One site says even Simon Cowell said in an interview he hopes the Obamas adopt and will gladly pay for the dog's food.

Here's a thought - why doesn't Simon Cowell get a dog?!! With millions in royalties the Obamas can't afford dog food?!

They show bad rescues too, and rescues are infamous for not 'adopting' to those with young children - indeed many have been turned down for dogs because they have children. THAT is why dogs are put to sleep. Additionally many will not adopt if there's another pet in the home, or if there's a temporary residence. Does the Obama family plan to live in the White House forever? Others planning to move in a couple years would be denied in that it might not be a permanent home. One is complaining that people are asking for Portuguese Water dogs - hmm...with so many purebreds of all breeds aren't those HOMES for available rescued PWD?! Can shelters and rescue not work together for the good of the dog?

Let's not forget the thousands of dogs - mutts - imported from other countries into some shelters. Unknown health unknown background but hey it's a breathing dog it's a great pet. I have nothing against mutts - have several myself.

They claim that if Obama adopts it will create a demand for shelter dogs. Demand does NOTHING when the homes are denied! For years people *have* gone to shelters and rescues and the list of reasons to deny dogs a home is staggering - and justified!

For example  - go to yahoo and type in "shelter dog adoption" - one of the top is shelterdogs.com - from Sacramento. You cannot get information about dogs without visiting the shelter - so that eliminates 99.98% of homes right there. How about the Anderson Animal Shelter in IL - for $200 if you meet the requirements and have the landlord's permission and weed out the ones with no kids ad no dogs - and consider allergies in the family...maybe 11 to choose from.

Or there's Franklin County Ohio - which you must bring all family members, children and other pets before even considering getting a dog...along with present dogs' vet records (they can't tell looking at the dog if it's in good condition and receiving good care), a copy of th elease showing dogs are allowed, wallet and photo ID and like many now has disclaimers of possible temperament problems that may or may not show up.

Now here's a thought - they have a dog that was a gift and apparently fits well. There's a known background and predictable response based on breed and background. They get a shelter dog by demand and it bites someone - how much will other shelter dogs get a chance for a home then? How many good dogs will be condemned by the actions of one very public one? Even no kill shelters have been killing dogs - and many support killing and do not want to end killing pets.

Additionally most of the time I call about a dog posted on some online website I'm told the dog was adopted - so there *is* a demand for these dogs and they *are* being moved.

A dog is a personal choice. Most of these places are dead set againt giving a dog at Christmas because it's a personal choice but want the public to demand something they don't do. How about each person who signs the petition go and get a dog from the shelter - it'd empty the cages at last! And even with that there would still be dogs killed. Places like Detroit and Jasper AL that kill all "pitbulls" because they might be fought - without any chance of getting a home.

There's many who don't have a fenced yard which eliminates many homes. One of the first things asked is why do you want a dog. What do they say...hmmm "because the American people don't like our choice of a dog and insist we need another?"

How much time will two dogs get while the Obamas are jetsetting around the world?

And one more thing - does everyone protesting keep every promise and uphold every statement they say? Clearly from shelters the answer is no. If their main goal was getting the dogs in homes to prevent killing them then it would happen...when a dog is denied a home that wants them that is not getting the dog a home.

He's been a dominant mark in a "not a cat" household for almost 5 years. So much so he appeard in the book video.

I suspected a couple months ago he came back to say goodbye. Mr. was an independent sort - a maverick who was not a normal cat. From kittenhood he had more dog mannerisms but in a cat's body. In Peoria we wanted a cat but not just any cat would do; had to be the right cat. In a multiple dog household a shy or scared cat would be terrorized. I was in the pet store one day and noticed kittens being given away; as I checked out there was one left. As I debated someone walked in with a Pyr and this little mite took one look at that dog and swelled up like he was gonna kick the dog's butt. I said THAT is the cat that can hold his own and took him home. He let Jim (border collie) carry him around by the head until Mr got too big. He'd take on a dog if necessary and wouldn't hesitate to smack them. He preferred being an indoor/outdoor which we didn't like due to the busy street and his penchant for going across the street to sit on the sidewalk and see how big of a meltdown he could cause from the pitbulls over there.

He went with me in the disastrous move to GA then here to AL. By then he preferred outside and after we moved here it's as if he knew it was settled...he'd take off for a while then come back for a few meals, a visit and showing off his war wounds - a missing toe. We tried keeping him in but he'd always manage to find an opening and was out again. He came back in January and looked ragged. A trip to the vet and he was wormed, mites in his ears treated and pronounced ready to slick up and be a big cat again. He never did really come back and fleas started. I'd given him a bath and dipped him trying to relieve the fleas but he died overnight. He'd had bouts of diarrhea but the vet clinic didn't seem concerned when I called to question why it hadn't gone away; nor about the occasional discharge from his eyes or congestion.

Mr wasn't one to get excited about "here kitty kitty" - he hated to be cuddled but loved sitting between my feet as I worked. He liked contact especially as he got older, but it was on his terms, jumping up on a counter.We'd developed a little thing of silent meows where he'd meow but it was more a whisper or silent and I'd do the same to him...he'd walk over and brush up against me. He'd catch food like a dog but used his cat skills to get up and open the cupboards. He outlived everyone from the move south except Bruiser and MissKitty who looks to be pregnant. He'll be buried near Jim - those two had an unusual friendship. He'll be missed.  

photo taken last weekend.

They've been gone a year - 13 months for Freckles. Not a day goes by, even now, that they aren't missed.