Mr. Obama, Get a Greyhound

With the election finally over, we, as a nation can roll up our sleeves and turn to the challenges that lie ahead. One of the more heartwarming, admittedly minor, challenges is to get our collective two-cents worth in about what kind of dog Sasha and Malia Obama should adopt to serve as our nation’s First Dog.

There is rumbling about how fitting it would be the first family to rescue a shelter mutt, and I believe the Obamas have said a rescue dog is certainly on the short list of potential candidates.

Well, Mr. President (elect), here’s my advice. The idea of rescuing a shelter dog is nice, but be careful! You won’t know what you’ve ended up with for months. Over the years I have rescued more than my share of shelter mutts, and I can tell you, most of these dogs carry deep scars that only begin to manifest themselves as “behavioral challenges” months after the dog has settled in to your heart and your home.

There was Purdy, the expensive-electronic-device-eating dog…and, Buster, the I-bite-the-ankles-of-people-we-pass-on-a-walk dog…Greta, the I-eat-rocks-and-break-my-teeth dog…and Rosie, the I-rip-up-pillows-dog. One of them, whose name I don’t even remember, ate Mr. Clark’s brand new, eyeglasses, the day after he bought them…So, many worthy dogs, so much destroyed property!

In so many cases, the Heinz 57-kind of a shelter dog turns out to be a loveable, but unpredictable blend of too many breeds, and bad past experiences – not really First Dog material. After all, it is the White House we’re talking about. Wouldn’t it be a shame for some national treasure to end up chewed, or shreaded, or buried in the Rose Garden, especially after the mutt in question has moved in and stolen your daughters’ hearts.

Why not adopt a dog from a pure-bred rescue organization? You’re still saving a life – and, you know what you’re getting into. That’s the thing about pure-breds. Their behavior and temperaments are predictable

My personal advice, Mr. President, would be to consider adopting one, or maybe even two, retired Greyhound racers. They are easy going, calm, well-behaved, fairly low maintenance and tolerant. They don’t bark much and barely shed. They come pre-trained, and have impeccable manners. They are also elegant, and loving, and they look great in winter clothing – which I’m sure the girls’ would enjoy picking out.

I know all of this because one of my “grand-dogs” ( I don’t have grandchildren) is a retired racer, and she is a wonderful dog in every way. Lily started out as “Octavo.” She was born in March of 2005, and ran 49 races in eight months during her second year. Her race record was all over the map, which is probably why she was retired at just over two. She had 15 top-three placed wins and 24 last or near last place finishes.

When my son and his wife got Lily she was a tall, rail-thin, shy, near ghost of a dog. She was very well-mannered and highly trained, but there didn’t seem to be much spirit left in her. She never, ever wanted to run.

As she settled in, and learned how to do things like get in a car, and go up steps, and jump on the bed, Lily’s personality began to emerge. She started playing with her toys and sniffing noses with her cats. A little later, she started running again. This time, it was in Gramma Lorin’s big yard, round and round, in joyful circles, seeming to discover - maybe for the first time - that being born to run can be a good thing.

Now, a little over a year into her life away from the track, Lily is a fun-loving, rambunctious, but still very well-mannered goof of a dog with a lot of personality. She’s spirited and playful, but impeccably polite. She walks perfectly on her leash and never begs at the table. She looks elegant, prancing down the street in one of her winter coats, and watching her run is just a joy.
Yes, Mr. President, a retired racer, or two, would make perfect White House pets. Your girls would have fun dressing them up. Your guests would be charmed by their elegance and excellent manners. And, watching the First Dog gallop around and around the White Hounds grounds, well that would just be fun for us all.

Give it some thought anyway, and if you’re interested, go to: www.greyhoundadoption.org or the National Greyhound Adoption Program’s website.