So Joe Biden is getting a new puppy and people are already giving him static about getting the dog from a breeder instead of from a shelter.
Well, yes, it would have been better PR, not to mention saving a dog's life, had he opted for one from a shelter. There are many German shepherds living in shelters across the nation. They're huge when they grow up, they eat a lot, and they are scary looking. Any one of those things can cause owners to give them up. Especially now.
But in Pennsylvania, capital of the puppy mill, it's not P.C. any more to get your dog from a breeder. I guess the Bidens, being from Delaware and all, didn't get that memo.
Don't get me wrong: I hate puppy mills, and I hate it that unscrupulous people are making money off of suffering animals. But let's not tar all dog breeders and kennel owners as evil profiteers. Some of them actually work very hard to improve bloodlines, perpetuate good traits, and avoid hereditary conditions. Raising healthy dogs for sale or breeding (well, raising even one healthy dog) is neither a cheap enterprise nor a big moneymaker. Believe me, you don't see dog breeders living in McMansions and cruising around in a Lexus SUV.
Shelter adoptions are great, but not for everyone. Ethical breeders have every right to do what they're doing. And the Bidens have every right to pick the dog they feel will best suit their situation.
In Biden's defense:
1. He's owned several shepherds before and is familiar with this breed and its needs. He isn't just doing this because he's always wanted "a big black dog."
2. He and his family have researched their breeder. They're not calling some shady classified ad or stopping at a "Puppies 4 Sale" sign along the road. And they're not going to a pet store. In other words, they're being very responsible. Much more responsible than many would-be dog owners.
3. This dog is not going to have a normal dog's life. Instead of taking walks and snuffling around in the yard, he's going to live in a gilded cage of sorts, and need to adjust to a lot of situations a normal dog wouldn't. Given that, they are probably better off getting a puppy who is so young it won't have a basis for comparison.
4. A shelter dog that's been abandoned, neglected, confined, or abused could react to being in a guarded fishbowl in any number of unhappy ways. Lots of visitors and strangers in the house? Rotating and armed security staff? Press corps encounters? Not a good place for a traumatized dog. Heck, even a normal dog might not enjoy all this. If I were Barney, I'd probably bite reporters too.
5. Finally, if you were going to be Vice President, with all the potential threats on your life and nutjobs who will try to infiltrate your world, wouldn't you WANT a big intimidating breed that makes people nervous? From a breeder who breeds K9 officers? Duh.
I truly hope the Obamas, inexperienced dog owners that they appear to be, are considering this along with Malia's dog-allergy situation.
UPDATE
Biden announced that, in addition to the puppy, the family will be adopting a shelter dog. Little "Champ" will have a buddy! Everybody wins!
That is all.
Well, yes, it would have been better PR, not to mention saving a dog's life, had he opted for one from a shelter. There are many German shepherds living in shelters across the nation. They're huge when they grow up, they eat a lot, and they are scary looking. Any one of those things can cause owners to give them up. Especially now.
But in Pennsylvania, capital of the puppy mill, it's not P.C. any more to get your dog from a breeder. I guess the Bidens, being from Delaware and all, didn't get that memo.
Don't get me wrong: I hate puppy mills, and I hate it that unscrupulous people are making money off of suffering animals. But let's not tar all dog breeders and kennel owners as evil profiteers. Some of them actually work very hard to improve bloodlines, perpetuate good traits, and avoid hereditary conditions. Raising healthy dogs for sale or breeding (well, raising even one healthy dog) is neither a cheap enterprise nor a big moneymaker. Believe me, you don't see dog breeders living in McMansions and cruising around in a Lexus SUV.
Shelter adoptions are great, but not for everyone. Ethical breeders have every right to do what they're doing. And the Bidens have every right to pick the dog they feel will best suit their situation.
In Biden's defense:
1. He's owned several shepherds before and is familiar with this breed and its needs. He isn't just doing this because he's always wanted "a big black dog."
2. He and his family have researched their breeder. They're not calling some shady classified ad or stopping at a "Puppies 4 Sale" sign along the road. And they're not going to a pet store. In other words, they're being very responsible. Much more responsible than many would-be dog owners.
3. This dog is not going to have a normal dog's life. Instead of taking walks and snuffling around in the yard, he's going to live in a gilded cage of sorts, and need to adjust to a lot of situations a normal dog wouldn't. Given that, they are probably better off getting a puppy who is so young it won't have a basis for comparison.
4. A shelter dog that's been abandoned, neglected, confined, or abused could react to being in a guarded fishbowl in any number of unhappy ways. Lots of visitors and strangers in the house? Rotating and armed security staff? Press corps encounters? Not a good place for a traumatized dog. Heck, even a normal dog might not enjoy all this. If I were Barney, I'd probably bite reporters too.
5. Finally, if you were going to be Vice President, with all the potential threats on your life and nutjobs who will try to infiltrate your world, wouldn't you WANT a big intimidating breed that makes people nervous? From a breeder who breeds K9 officers? Duh.
I truly hope the Obamas, inexperienced dog owners that they appear to be, are considering this along with Malia's dog-allergy situation.
UPDATE
Biden announced that, in addition to the puppy, the family will be adopting a shelter dog. Little "Champ" will have a buddy! Everybody wins!
That is all.
Posts
No comments:
Post a Comment