Portuguese water dog owners fear Obama effect

February 27, 2009 By: blogadmin Category: Animals and kids, Dogs, Pets in politics, The Dog House

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — It’s nothing against the Obamas. But some Portuguese water dog owners aren’t thrilled the breed is a front-runner for the first family.

The choice could mean a spike in the dogs’ popularity — and that could mean a rise in shady breeders and fickle owners who don’t understand the dogs and eventually abandon them, owners of Portuguese water dogs say. (more…)

Obamas narrowing search for First Dog

January 11, 2009 By: Krisha Williams Turbeville Category: Dogs, Pets in politics, Shelters, rescue dogs

THE NEW YORK TIMES

The Obama family is nearing a decision on the breed for the first dog.

Before President-elect Barack Obama began his interview on the ABC program This Week, which was broadcast Sunday, his daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, asked the host, George Stephanopoulos, to slip in this question: “What kind of a dog are we getting, and when are we getting it?”

When asked, Obama laughed, “They seem to have narrowed it down to a Labradoodle or a Portuguese water hound,” he said, adding that the next step is to canvass shelters. (more…)

Wicked ways to costume your pet

October 19, 2008 By: Krisha Williams Turbeville Category: Animals and holidays, Cats, Dogs, Small pets, halloween

Dressed as Chi-Obama, Bonbon, a Chihuahua, is held up by his owner Ada Nieves of New York (unseen) as he poses for a photograph during the fourth annual Times Square Dog Day Masquerade on Sunday in New York’s Times Square. The canine costume contest, in which Bonbon was named “Miss Congeniality”, was held to raise awareness for Animal Haven’s Adopt-A-Pet program.(Photos by AP)

ST. PETERSBURG TIMES

This isn’t a political diatribe. It’s just our way of saying be original if you decide your dog needs to sport a Halloween costume. (more…)

Obama, McCain march down the catwalk

October 18, 2008 By: Krisha Williams Turbeville Category: Cats, Catty Corner, Shelters

David Mare displays a Turkish Angora at the Sixth Annual Iams Cat Championship on Saturday in New York. (AP Photo)

THE ASSOCIATED PRESS

NEW YORK — Barack Obama and John McCain will attend a New York cat show this weekend — Obama the Bombay cat and McCain the American Shorthair, that is.

The two felines are vying for the title of “Purr-fect President” at the Cat Fanciers’ Association-IAMS 2008 championship that opens Saturday at Madison Square Garden. (more…)