Bluefield Daily Telegraph, W.Va., Samantha Perry column: The Obama family pet: The First Dog should embody the spirit of America

Nov 15, 2008 (Bluefield Daily Telegraph - McClatchy-Tribune Information Services via COMTEX) -- RGI | Quote | Chart | News | PowerRating -- President -elect Barack Obama made a very smart comment shortly after his victory was assured on election night. It wasn't about the economy, or unity, or international relations.

Nope, Obama cemented bonds with core supporters and brought a new group of fans on board when he announced his girls would be getting a puppy.

One could hear the "Awwwws" of contentment echoing from dog lovers coast to coast.

Whether one shares a home with a Collie, Lab, terrier, St. Bernard, beagle, Yorkie, Weimaraner or mutt, owners of pets tend to have one significant characteristic in common: All are dog lovers. And that's not a concept to be taken lightly. True dog lovers treat their pets as one of the family. Special food, comfy beds, a slew of toys and, if means allow, high-end collars and clothes that can cost hundreds -- if not thousands -- of dollars.

Yes, we (my husband and I are part of this culture) spare no means to keep our pets happy and healthy -- although we do draw the line at high-end clothes and collars.

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In the week and a half since President-elect Obama's announcement, much of America has been gripped by Puppy Fever.

What kind of canine should become the First Dog? What should he or she be named? Like all dog lovers, I have my own opinion. I do admire the Obamas for their interest in adopting a shelter dog or "mutt." Anyone who has ever visited a shelter realizes there is a tremendous need for adoptive families.

And it would be neat to see a shelter dog experience the proverbial "rags to riches" story. Of course, the president-elect is also seeking a dog that will not exacerbate the allergies experienced by one of his daughters -- and that could be a tough find.

The family would have to visit a shelter where the staff is knowledgeable enough about their charges to truly know the bloodlines, and which mixed breeds could, and could not, pose allergy problems.

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Putting aside the allergy issue for a moment, I'll weigh in with my two cents. I'd like to see a big dog -- even a giant breed -- in the White House. Large and giant breeds can pose special problems because they are, well, huge. But, with the right personality, temperament, bonding and socialization, extra large dogs are great pets.

Small dogs are great, but as First Dog the canine should embody the spirit of America as the greatest, strongest nation on earth.

Think about the image an imposing giant breed such as a Great Danes, English mastiff, Neopolitan mastiff, Irish wolfhound, Saint Bernard, Russian wolfhound or Newfoundland would send to the rest of the world -- especially enemies in the Middle East. Many of these breeds -- again, when trained and socialized properly -- are completely devoted to their families members and would put their lives on the line for "their people."

As the proud owner of a Neo, I can attest that the "beastly" look of these dogs could potentially scare many a terrorist -- not to mention any unwelcome Republicans.

Of course, whether the family chooses a toy breed, large dog, lovable Lab or a canine of mixed ancestry, I'm curious about how one would housebreak a dog at the White House.

Anyone who has ever had a pup is keenly aware that accidents happen. Period. Will there be an official presidential pooper-scooper? Or will family members take on this responsibility? It's hard for me to imagine the president or first lady disposing of "puppy doo" accidentally deposited in the Oval Office.

And , of course, there is also the "chewing" stage. No matter how many toys one provides for a pup, they will inevitably destroy at least a few items around the house -- pillows, papers, furniture, shoes and more. I can envision the president attending an important summit, only to open his briefcase to find shredded reports covered with doggy slobber.

But such is the life of a dog owner.

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Whatever dog breed the first family or their children choose, the next big step will also be extremely important: Naming the new addition.

Posters to the website, nameobamaspuppy.com, have already come up with a variety of name choices for the First Pup. Among the suggestions: Joe the Puppy, Reco ("in honor of the coming recovery"), Rocko (bama), Unity, Pepsi ("it's a name that would be recognized as an American brand"), Freedom, Mavrik, Hope and Yankee Doodle.

And the suggestion from one poster: "Obama should get two dogs ... and name them John & Sarah"

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As the new president cements his popularity with dog owners with a new pup, he will also be helping the economy. An estimated 63 percent of American households own at least one pet, according to an August 2007 edition of Business Week, and products geared to this emerging market have become a key segment of the U.S. economy.

"Americans now spend $41 billion a year on their pets -- more than the gross domestic product of all but 64 countries in the world. That's double the amount shelled out on pets a decade ago, with annual spending expected to hit $52 billion in the next two years," Business Week reported, citing statistics from the consumer research company Packaged Facts.

Maybe "Reco" would be an appropriate, name for the new First Dog.

Samantha Perry is managing editor of the Daily Telegraph.

Contact her at sperry@bdtonline.com

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