PetSugar

Barney's Barking, Biting Mad as His First Dog Term Ends Soon

PetSugar — Thu, 06 Nov 2008 14:03:39 -0800

Don't get jealous lil guy! Seems like Barney (one of the two Scotties belonging to George W. Bush) may sense that another pup – one that we haven't even seen yet! – is already at the top of everyone's list. This pup is still super-duper cute as is his terrier pal, Miss Beazley, both currently residing in the White House. See how Barney greeted an admiring fan, errr reporter, this morning in the video below.

In the Spotlight: Whatchu Lookin' At, Bo?

PetSugar — Thu, 23 Apr 2009 00:05:46 -0700

Barack Obama's been on the road lately, making friends with enemies and, most recently, visiting a plant in Iowa which produces towers for wind energy production. Well, lookee who anxiously awaited his return yesterday . . . none other than Bo himself! The pup watches the president walk across the South Lawn (site of that famed romp) and all I can say is good thing there are bars up cause that happy pooch may just wanna take a leap of faith to give up a warm (wet) welcome ASAP. Although I'm betting our glimpses of Bo will be limited, I can't wait to hear how the first family adjusts to their first dog!

Source

Do Tell: Make Predictions About the (New) Obama Puppy Here!

PetSugar — Wed, 05 Nov 2008 12:00:02 -0800

I'd have to say my favorite part of last night's events, was when the president-elect announced to his young daughters, "Sasha and Malia, I love you both so much, and you have earned the new puppy that's coming with us to the White House." Now, this wasn't news to me but many people haven't been following the Obamas' doggie decisions as carefully as I have. He originally made the promise that, no matter the outcome, a puppy would make them a party of five after the campaign was over . . . and now that means a canine will be also moving into the White House come January!

I can't decide when the pooch will join the family – before they move or after they're settled – and I'm not totally certain what type of dog it'll be. After all, Michelle Obama told Entertainment Tonight that they would be rescuing, but 10-year-old Malia seems set on a goldendoodle, a mixed (Golden Retriever/Poodle) pup that often warrants a higher price tag based on their hypoallergenic qualities (and did I mention the cute?!).

What do you think the Obama dog will be in the end . . . and when do you expect we'll meet this new furball?

Source

Even More Bo! First Dog Frolics With First Family

PetSugar — Wed, 16 Sep 2009 11:35:42 -0700

Welcome home - what better way to pass time than with the super-cute Bo! Sasha and Malia played with the pup while waiting for the presidential helicopter to land on the South Lawn yesterday and then the trio reunited with a group hug. (Group "awwww.")

I'm betting they shared tales of this cute pup while the president was off on official business, but Bo still shows his daddy love and support, sporting the same collar and leash set as we've seen before.

See more pictures of the happy reunion and Bo playing with the girls on the lawn when you read more.

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What's Your Take: Legal Ban on Declawing?

PetSugar — Tue, 08 Sep 2009 13:00:59 -0700

Considered mutilation by many, a simple mention of the word "declaw" warrants an adamant response from even nonfeline fans. Even though the vocal aversion to declawing is already a no-brainer to most of you, the recently proposed ban on the procedure here in SF has earned (what may appear to be) some unlikely challengers - the SPCA.
Even though the organization both opposes the procedure and doesn't practice onychectomy at its hospital, it doesn't agree with legal regulation and SFSPCA President Jan McHugh-Smith worries the proposed law could have other negative side effects:

"The SFSPCA is opposed to declawing . . . but we are concerned about the option being taken away from the guardian. They could potentially give up the pet, and it could end up in a shelter and end up being euthanized."

So the argument is not just about the morality of the procedure but on the involvement of politics in medicine and that city council members have no place regulating such procedures - what's your take?

Source: Flickr User Muffet

Remembering Socks: Former First Cat Dies

PetSugar — Fri, 20 Feb 2009 19:22:42 -0800

You may recognize this feline as a former "first pet" - Socks joined the Clinton family for both terms in the White House. After they left in early 2001, the kitty took up residence in Hollywood, MD, with Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie. The cat was nearly 18 and battling lung cancer when Currie confirmed Socks's death this evening, saying that she was "heartbroken." Follow Socks's story and start this slideshow of his big moments during the DC years. We'll miss you!

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Bo Hits a South Lawn Luau . . . But Needs This

PetSugar — Fri, 26 Jun 2009 10:30:05 -0700

We wouldn't leave our pets out of a family party in the backyard and the same is true for the first family including Bo in some fun. Michelle (and Malia) walk their Portuguese Water Dog down to the South Lawn to attend a luau hosted by President Barack Obama for members of Congress and their families yesterday. I think I see a wagging tail!

Hopefully the event includes dog-safe snacks, and I'm glad to see the girls' hibiscus leis far from Bo's mouth as that's a plant toxic to dogs! What I don't see is any Hawaiian print on the pooch. Sad. Granted his curly hair makes it impossible to spot the collar but I've picked out some print ideas for another big bash. Hey, and maybe next time the first family travels to Hawaii they'll hit up my favorite Cocojor shop for a doggie shirt, too?

6 Ways to Enjoy a Day Off With Dogs!

PetSugar — Sun, 24 May 2009 13:00:28 -0700

Bo (Obama), he's just like our pooches. Except, well, his dad is president. Does that stop any games of chase and touch football? I think not. The commander in chief heads up a football team on the White House lawn - just one of the many great ways to spend a hot weather day. See my suggestions for fun in the sun with your own furry friends in this slideshow! Source

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This Just In: Getting Greenies Just Got a Little More Difficult . . .

PetSugar — Wed, 29 Apr 2009 17:00:44 -0700

Rather controversial but still well-loved by pups across the nation, the manufacturer of Greenies just announced today that the product will now be offered exclusively through vet hospitals and pet specialty stores. The hard treats help reduce plaque and tartar buildup, but some dogs have trouble chewing and properly digesting them . . . which leaves many animal lovers confused and on the fence about the snacks. Citing studies that show nearly 75 percent of pets exhibit some stage of oral disease by age 3, Carolyn Hanigan, vice president of marketing for Nutro Products, Inc. says:

We believe that pet medical professionals at veterinary hospitals and well-trained, knowledgeable staff at pet specialty stores are best equipped to answer pet owners’ questions about our products, and to make the right recommendation.

I've given these treats to North in the past and, while he'll gladly gobble most anything, I would never offer one unsupervised. What do you think of the news? Does it change your take on the toothbrush-shaped snacks?

Source

Which Presidential Surname's Most Popular For Pets?

PetSugar — Thu, 05 Mar 2009 04:00:48 -0800

Pets get names in the strangest ways – trust me, North knows – be it from a person, place, thing, or something else entirely. Well, Veterinary Pet Insurance (the country's largest and oldest provider), recently took tally of their 477,000 registered pets to see how many shared surnames with US presidents. After taking out ones that could double as fairly traditional human names – like Madison and Jackson – they counted up the number of dogs, cats, birds, and other exotic pets that had names in common with presidents. I'll clue you in to this: the first (Washington) and most recently departed (Bush) leaders didn't make it, but has our current president entered the top 10 yet? Find out who tops this list (then vote for your favorite) in this slideshow.

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