For Pet's Sake Column

Being First Dog is serious business. Not only must the presidential pup be friendly and faithful to his human family, he must also sign a plethora of “pawtographs” and resist the temptation to “ruff” up reporters when they try to pet you. (Barney Bush, what were you thinking when you chomped on that nice newsman’s finger?)

During President-elect Obama’s acceptance speech last Tuesday night, he told his daughters, Sasha and Malia they “have earned the new puppy [who’s] coming with us to the White House.” All of us involved with animal rescue immediately had the same question: “Would the Obama family adopt rather than buy a puppy?” At his first post-election press conference on Friday, Obama explained his doggie dilemma in more detail:

“This is a major issue. I think it’s generated more interest on our web site than just about anything. We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so [the dog] has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic. On the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog. But obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me. Whether we’re going to be able to balance those two things is a pressing issue in the Obama household.”

Good for Obama and his family for taking the matter of acquiring a puppy seriously. Now it’s just a question of whether the new first family can find a dog who won’t aggravate Malia’s allergies. To paraphrase Obama’s mantra: “Yes they can!”

Contrary to popular belief, there are no “hypoallergenic” or “nonallergenic” breeds of dogs (or cats, for that matter). There are, however, certain dog breeds that tend to cause fewer allergic reactions in people. The Wheaten Terrier, Bichon Frise, Poodle and other dogs with soft, constantly-growing hair are all good choices. Children sometimes outgrow allergies, although adults with pet allergies rarely become accustomed to animals.

If your allergies have kept you from adopting a dog, don’t despair. The Humane Society of the United States offers these tips for reducing your allergy symptoms:

* Create an “allergy free” zone in your home such as the bedroom and strictly prohibit your pet access to this area.

* Use HEPA air cleaners throughout your home and avoid dust-and-dander-catching furnishings such as cloth curtains and blinds and carpeted floors. Clean frequently and thoroughly to remove dust and dander, wash couch covers and pillows, curtains, and pet beds on a regular basis.

* Use a “microfilter” bag in your vacuum cleaner to effectively catch all the allergens.

* Bathe your pet on a regular basis (this can reduce allergens by as much as 84 percent). Although products are available that claim to reduce pet allergens when sprayed on the animal’s fur, studies show they are less effective than a weekly bath.

* Don't be quick to blame the family pet for allergies. Ask your allergist to specifically test for allergies to pet dander, rather than making an assumption. Allergies are cumulative; many allergy sufferers are sensitive to more than one allergen. So if you're allergic to dust, insecticides, pollen, cigarette smoke, and cat dander, you'll need to reduce the overall allergen level in your environment by concentrating on all of the causes, not just the pet allergy.

* Consider immunotherapy (allergy shots), which can improve symptoms, but doesn’t eliminate them entirely. Patients are usually given one dose per week for a few weeks or months (depending on the severity of the allergy) and then can often manage with one injection per month.

An interesting side note: An eye-catching portrait of Obama and a three-legged Poodle named Baby, a puppy mill survivor, is featured in the new book, A Rare Breed of Love by Jana Kohl (Fireside, Simon and Schuster). As far back as 2005, Obama promised Kohl—who is part of the Kohl’s store founding family as well as a writer, artist, clinical psychologist and animal welfare advocate—that he would adopt a dog from an animal shelter. Hopefully, this will be the first of many presidential promises that he will keep.

Now on to the issue of purebreed versus mixed breed, or “mutt” as Obama called himself. If you have your heart set on a certain breed of dog, you can still adopt one from a shelter; in fact, it’s easier than you might think. Consider this: nearly 25% of all dogs awaiting adoption in U.S. shelters are purebreds. If you’re seeking a particular breed—for example, one that is less prone to cause allergies—you can visit your local animal shelter and choose just the right dog for your lifestyle, budget, and health considerations. In addition, there are “breed rescue groups” in just about every city in the country that specialize in rescuing, fostering and placing purebreds with loving families. You can also visit online resources such as Pets911.com and Petfinder.com, where you can search for specific breeds for adoption.

Whether you’re about to adopt a dog or are looking for ways to alleviate your allergies, it’s important to do your homework. By researching the various dog breeds and making a few simple adjustments to your lifestyle, you can help people and pets stay together—whether it’s in your house or the White House.

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Karen’s still overwhelmed (in a good way) by Obama’s victory last week as well as by the passage of Proposition 2, the California Prevention of Farm Animal Cruelty Act. Let Karen know your thoughts on the election results by sending an email message to her at karenleestevens@cox.net.