28 August 2008

Dear Senator Obama,

Rumor has it you’ll be looking for a dog come fall. An animal-lover myself, I can think of no better way to reward your daughters’ hard work, enhance family life and (I believe in you with great hope!) celebrate your thrilling and historic move into 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue than adopting a canine companion. Your girls are sure to gain immensely from the experience. I envy their youth and all that is to come. I got my first dog at age six—a Scottish Terrier named Agatha. I have hardly a memory from childhood that doesn’t feature that feisty, hilarious, adorable little dog. I hope for your girls the same lasting animal love from whatever dog you choose … which brings me to my reason for this letter.

I saw that the American Kennel Club is holding a voting contest in helping you decide which dog would best suit your family, assuming you would be purchasing a dog from a breeder or pet store. I’m hoping you’ll consider—whichever breed you choose—adopting a shelter/rescue dog instead.

As Oprah recently uncovered in devastating detail, puppy mills and their incomprehensibly inhumane breeding practices are sadly thriving across the country. No matter what they tell you, it is near-impossible to purchase a puppy from a pet store that didn’t begin its life at one. If you haven’t seen that episode of Oprah (one of her most important shows yet), you should know it’s truly horrific what these animals endure. Yet still, people flock to pet stores, feeding money to the very businesses that support such intolerable and cruel standards. All of this while millions of dogs in shelters are euthanized every year because no one adopts them. It’s a vicious cycle, one that makes no logical sense whatsoever, but one that can be dramatically changed—even stopped—through one simple gesture: adopt dogs, don’t buy them from unknown breeders and stores. The show upset Oprah so much that she vowed her next dog will be a shelter dog.

I read that at least one of your daughters suffers from allergies. I understand that because of this your situation may feel unique in its demand for a particular “hypoallergenic” breed. However, by using resources, like Petfinder.com, you can locate specific breeds in any shelter nationwide, if that’s what you decide. (Many shelters, incidentally, have purebred dogs that started out in pet stores but have ended up unwanted in shelters once the reality of dog-owning set in.) Petfinder.com is an amazing resource—a place of inspiration and information. I found three of my four pets on Petfinder, not to mention an incredible community of animal advocates. I adopted my youngest dog, Safari, in February from a not-for-profit rescue organization called Pawtectors, which is run by two young vets-in-training during their almost non-existent spare time. These two women have rescued hundreds and hundreds of animals. It takes just a little more effort than popping into your local pet store, but the rewards are enormous! You not only save the lives of two animals (the one you’re adopting and the one that then moves into your animal’s vacated shelter space), but shelter animals (often mixed breeds) are healthier than purebreds, they’re often already trained (or on their way) and they never forget who saved them. Dogs have hopes, too. When you grant them theirs, you can see it in their eyes.

I know you have enough—and then some, and then some more, and….—on your plate right now. Worrying about what kind of dog your family will end up with isn’t—and shouldn’t be—even close to top priority. We need you in the Oval Office! But I do hope as your schedule allows, and as the promise of a family dog is a little closer to becoming a reality, that you’ll consider all of the benefits of adopting a shelter dog. And they really are all—only—benefits. To start, you might even consider making it possible for your daughters to visit with some shelter dogs while you’re on the campaign trail this summer and see how they (and their allergies) like them.

I know you will find the perfect dog for your family. But you don’t need the American Kennel Club’s help. You need only logic and love. Dog adoption is a decision you will feel good about every day, which I imagine isn’t something someone with your level of responsibility will be able to say about all of your decisions! This is truly the kind of change you can believe in.

Thank you so much for taking the time to consider this letter in the midst of all else. We all have our causes, I suppose. This is mine.

Have a wonderful summer—and best of luck in November! You have had (it was a tremendous honor to be part of your primary win here in Connecticut) and will have the enthusiastic support of my entire household—two dogs and two cats included—every last step of the way.

My deepest admiration and appreciation for all you have already done....