Daddy, we need more Snausages!
November 5, 2008 3:28 PM   Subscribe

Having extracted from their father a promise of a new puppy (in front of 71.5 million witnesses, no less), the Obama girls will soon have a choice to make. Should the First Dog be a golden? A beagle? A poodle? Or maybe a mutt? Of course, they could possibly go for something a little larger. Just be sure to keep tabs on the little fellow.
posted by william_boot (58 comments total) 8 users marked this as a favorite
 
Whatever the breed, set a good example and get one from the pound.
posted by Inspector.Gadget at 3:33 PM on November 5, 2008 [14 favorites]


And be sure to immediately, responsibly, restrict its reproductive freedom.
posted by Fiasco da Gama at 3:35 PM on November 5, 2008 [6 favorites]


How about the world's worst cross-breed name: a cockapoo!
posted by GuyZero at 3:36 PM on November 5, 2008




Whatever the breed, set a good example and get one from the pound.

It seems they're going to do exactly that.
posted by william_boot at 3:40 PM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites]


I am so glad the Obamas are adopting a pound-puppy!!

So, how does this presidential pet stuff work, anyhow? Do their pets get free run of the White House?
posted by brain cloud at 3:45 PM on November 5, 2008


A rescue dog! Off to a good start, President-elect Obama.
posted by FelliniBlank at 3:49 PM on November 5, 2008


obamadog.
posted by gman at 3:50 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


Something tells me it won't be a purebreed.
posted by weapons-grade pandemonium at 3:51 PM on November 5, 2008 [4 favorites]


How about the world's worst cross-breed name: a cockapoo!

You forgot about the shih-tzu/poodle cross, the shitpoo.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 3:56 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


Along the same lines, XQUZYPHR, they could adopt any of the animals that were made homeless by this year's hurricane/tornado season.

I just LOVE the idea of them adopting a "Heinz 57" mixed-breed mutt-o-rama!!! How utterly symbolic would that be!
posted by CitizenD at 3:58 PM on November 5, 2008


PETA will undoubtedly pat themselves on the back, but rescuing a dog has been the plan for a while: "In a May appearance with her husband on "Good Morning America"... Michelle Obama also indicated that the dog would come from a shelter, not a breeder or pet store."
posted by milkrate at 4:00 PM on November 5, 2008


Are you sure she doesn't mean a search and rescue dog? I'm personally hoping for a St. Bernard, because I like to think of little, crazy Sasha riding it's back and getting into all sorts of hijinks. And what better to raise the spirit of the American people, than a dog that is associated with bringing warm deliciousness. An old (1884!) article from the New York Times on the St. Bernard Myth notes that "[t]he dog carries a blanket, two botles of hot water, a mustard plaster, two coarse towels, a lunch baskt filled with roast chicken and three kinds of vegetables, kept hot by a spirit lamp, and a liquor case containing rum, lemon peel, sugar, and water." That sounds more like a fantastic picnic lunch than a mere survival kit. Truly, a presidential dog!
posted by filthy light thief at 4:02 PM on November 5, 2008


But a mutt would decrease the "elitist" factor - unless you put the dog in a fancy dog cardigan!
posted by filthy light thief at 4:03 PM on November 5, 2008


Do their pets get free run of the White House?

I was wondering the same thing. Actually, I was wondering where the first dog poops. I mean, where does it poop? When my dog needs to poop, I let it out into the back yard, or take it down to the park (and yes, I pick it up with a biodegradable bag). Does the President just open the back door and let the dog do it's business in the Rose Garden?
posted by jeffamaphone at 4:05 PM on November 5, 2008


I would volunteer to be the Presidential dogwalker.
posted by desjardins at 4:09 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


Malia has allergies. This counts out of a lot of dogs and especially mutts.
posted by k8t at 4:17 PM on November 5, 2008


Mutt. Please a mutt. America is all about us mutts. And orphaned mutt puppies are the best. Now that Toot is gone, I'd think President-elect Obama could very well empathize and bond with an orphaned mutt.

When he mentioned it during the speech, joy tears shot out of my eyes. Puppies. Little girls and puppies. (sigh)
posted by Toekneesan at 4:19 PM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites]


This counts out of a lot of dogs and especially mutts.

Standard poodle. Black.
posted by Civil_Disobedient at 4:25 PM on November 5, 2008


Whatever it is, they should ensure that its legs are longer on its right side, so it leans slightly to the left - just to annoy AM radio.
posted by An Infinity Of Monkeys at 4:29 PM on November 5, 2008 [6 favorites]


Retired greyhound - a dog who knows how to appreciate the end of a long race.
posted by Graygorey at 4:29 PM on November 5, 2008 [6 favorites]


Had McCain won, he would have had a bitch from Alaska running around the grounds of the White House
posted by Postroad at 4:35 PM on November 5, 2008 [9 favorites]


The latest on this breaking story from the Times.

(Where can I get one of those flashing siren thingys?)
posted by william_boot at 4:37 PM on November 5, 2008


Malia has allergies. This counts out of a lot of dogs and especially mutts.

Ooh, think of the scandal!

Obama adopts Mexican Hairless

Says American dogs "make me sick"
posted by Sys Rq at 4:45 PM on November 5, 2008 [3 favorites]


Malia has allergies. This counts out of a lot of dogs and especially mutts.

True, but I have two shelter dogs: a Bijon/Yorkie mix and a Poodle/Daschund/Terrier mix. Neither one sheds or invokes our terrible, terrible allergies. So, it can be done.

if you're willing to put up with funny-looking dogs, either because one has a daschund nose and body, poodle fur and terrier legs, or because you tried to give the other one a home haircut and used a very, very short guide.
posted by davejay at 4:52 PM on November 5, 2008


Right about now would almost certainly be a good time to adopt a former track dog...

not that I'm biased or anything. Look at mine! She's so cute!
posted by god hates math at 5:00 PM on November 5, 2008


I've been wondering about Barney and Miss Beasley... I've been wanting them to come home to Texas for years and years and years.
posted by Robert Angelo at 5:01 PM on November 5, 2008


Yes, I suspect he will get a pound puppy. He's already been outspoken on the issue. (Scroll down for the photo.)

Seriously, how cool is it to be the first candidate for president ever to be endorsed by the Humane Society of the United States?

Still vibrating.
posted by fourcheesemac at 5:01 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


As long as it's not a Scottish Terrier.
posted by gman at 5:04 PM on November 5, 2008


Is there a video of Obama Dog vs. Giuliani Dog?
posted by lukemeister at 5:10 PM on November 5, 2008


I would suggest a Yorkie. They don't have fur like normal dogs, so they're safe for most people who have allergies. I have 3 yorkies, 2 toys and 1 teacup. CUTE OVERLOAD. They're not the brightest dogs when it comes to potty training though.
Dude, we have a president who's against the war now. That thought didn't even cross my mind until nearly midnight last night. How awesome is that? The whole world is going to change...
posted by Bageena at 5:13 PM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites]


If it is a female, are they going to name it Hope?
posted by paddysat at 5:18 PM on November 5, 2008


Beagles rules
posted by MNDZ at 5:19 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


If it is a female, are they going to name it Hope?

We already had eight years of "A Place Called Hope" with Bill Clinton. I don't know if I can deal with A Dog Named Hope.
posted by lukemeister at 5:26 PM on November 5, 2008


In the service of maintaining the continuity of the Special Relationship, and for the sake of a bit of self-mocking ironic fun, perhaps Gordon Brown could be convinced to come over for an informal visit and help them choose a nice poodle.
posted by jamjam at 5:40 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


WhoGivesAFuckFilter.
posted by mattholomew at 5:53 PM on November 5, 2008


I hope against hope that they name their dog "Maverick."
posted by five fresh fish at 5:55 PM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites]


I thought he meant we would all receive puppies.
posted by sleslie at 5:59 PM on November 5, 2008 [2 favorites]


*favorites post for being the first in Metafilter history to use the word 'snausage' in the title*
posted by lukemeister at 6:00 PM on November 5, 2008 [1 favorite]


I think there would be a certain happy irony in naming the puppy Turd Blossom.
posted by brain cloud at 6:04 PM on November 5, 2008


Joe Biden's getting a big dog.
posted by lukemeister at 6:08 PM on November 5, 2008


As someone who works with homeless dogs, I hope the Obama family and their pet-finders have a serious, long eval before they actually take the dog. If you take a good look around at the fosters and shelter workers you know, you'll notice they all ended up with a "problem dog" along the way. And those are the ones we tell you about.

I just could not take listening to my damnasshell family tell me what Rush Limbaugh said about Obama abandoning a dog if, worst case, they end up with a pup who just wasn't ready to be rehomed with a normal family.

It's amazing, truly amazing, what kind of horror dogs can come through and still be full of love and goodwill. And there are plenty of dogs who got a bad rap because people spoiled 'em. But there are some dogs out there that just aren't ready for prime time.
posted by Lesser Shrew at 6:50 PM on November 5, 2008


A Saint Bernard? A Newfoundland!

Allergies? Keep it regularly bathed and out of the White House (unless you want to enliven a dinner party)--shouldn't be a problem.
posted by eye of newt at 7:43 PM on November 5, 2008


I hope they emulate Theodore Roosevelt's children's menagerie.
posted by lukemeister at 9:49 PM on November 5, 2008


Why not name their new dog after one of Abigail Adams` (wife of #2 John Adams) dogs: Satan.
posted by PenDevil at 10:49 PM on November 5, 2008


Would a retired greyhound be considered post-racial?
posted by dhartung at 10:52 PM on November 5, 2008 [3 favorites]


I'd have thought a pit bull with lipstick would be the obvious choice.
posted by rhymer at 2:49 AM on November 6, 2008 [1 favorite]


Getting a dog is an excellent addition to his not a Muslim cover story cover story. Of course naming it Whitey might be a bit too much.
posted by srboisvert at 5:57 AM on November 6, 2008


After Oprah's weep-worthy dog rescue special and the Obamas ties to Oprah? Of course it's going to be a rescue dog. (I think enough people would be willing to help vet the first dog to make sure they don't get a problem animal.)

And to think, my daughter just had to put up with moving to a new house to get a dog. The Obama girls had to put up with years of campaigning by mom and dad, public scrutiny and moving to a new town--where I hear the public schools are not too good, and her dad's not keen on private.

I guess they get to have a bowling alley in their house as well, so that somewhat makes up for it.
posted by Gucky at 5:57 AM on November 6, 2008


Why not name their new dog after one of Abigail Adams` (wife of #2 John Adams) dogs: Satan.

In her defense, he is a pretty good hockey player.
posted by inigo2 at 7:01 AM on November 6, 2008


And it'll be fun for his kids to get the pooch to speak.... Obama!
posted by Kronos_to_Earth at 7:57 AM on November 6, 2008


Had McCain won, he would have had a bitch from Alaska running around the grounds of the White House

Totally unnecessary and offensive.

posted by lunit at 8:53 AM on November 6, 2008 [1 favorite]


Clearly he needs to buy a Pug (best dog ever!) and of course name it 'Maverick'
posted by edZio at 8:54 AM on November 6, 2008


Choosing a suitable presidential dog is quite a serious political problem I should imagine - if it dies or gets ill or has some kind of serious behavioural problems then the world will know and may not approve - especially if the timing is bad with relation to other world events. In the UK we have a very long running kids show called "Blue Peter". Just recently it emerged that Petra - a mutt loved by the nations kids in the 60s and 70s was secretly hot swapped for an identically named replacement as an alternative to letting the nation's children know that the original puppy had died of distemper.
posted by rongorongo at 9:19 AM on November 6, 2008


Totally unnecessary and offensive.

She was in many ways, but that side lost so it doesn't matter now.
posted by ROU_Xenophobe at 9:35 AM on November 6, 2008 [1 favorite]


I guess they get to have a bowling alley in their house as well, so that somewhat makes up for it.

He said he'd tear out the bowling alley and replace with a basketball court.

posted by desjardins at 10:45 AM on November 6, 2008


Cross a Rottweiler with an English Springer Spaniel.
Then cross a Poodle with a Persian Hound.
Then cross the offspring to get a Rottenpooper.
posted by KRS at 1:14 PM on November 7, 2008


BREAKING NEWS: revealed on Maddow tonight, Obama family currently considering "two-dog solution."
posted by brain cloud at 8:46 PM on November 7, 2008


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