WHITE HOUSE WELCOMES FIRST SHELTER DOG
This is major for all shelter pooches in need of homes.
By: The Muttly Crew (Opinion)
MAJOR’S PHOTO CREDIT: ADAM ScHULTZ, OFFICIAL WHITE HOUSE PHOTOGRAPHER
It’s a major deal! We missed seeing adorable dog cameos during white house news coverage. And now after 4 years, we have two including a rescue. President Joe Biden is walking into the White House leashed up with 2 German Sheperds. One of his furry companions is his former foster pooch Major Biden. A shelter dog becoming “First Furbaby” is significant to many rescue dog parents, volunteers and advocates. We are listing few reasons why Major’s pawprints in the Rose Garden will leave lasting impressions.
Major is a pawsome symbol of the American dream in a way. You don’t have to be born into a position because of your upbringing and breed. You can earn it by walking the right path. Making a pawsitive impact on your companions and contributing to society counts. Major is no show dog even though we think he is fabulous! The Bidens found Major at the Delaware Humane Association. They fostered him at first. Then they offered Major his furever home. Furry fact check: There has been another rescue dog in the White House. Not necessarily a shelter dog. According to Snopes.com, President Lyndon B. Johnson’s dog was found by Johnson’s daughter at a gas station in 1966. She gave her father the mixed breed dog named Yuki as gift in 1967. President Abraham Lincoln also had a mutt named Fido, but he never sniffed the White House. He was scared of loud sounds and crowds. According to the Presidential Pet Museum, the Lincolns gave the pooch to another family before Lincoln took office.
Another chance makes a difference. Second or third or more chances matter to these foster pups and the rescue organizations that care for them. Many furry companions have suffered from neglect or abuse. Or they haven’t even had a chance with a human because they are strays. Dog behavior problems, health issues and financial struggles are the leading causes of owner surrenders. According to a survey conducted by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), pet problems are the most common reason owners rehome their pets, accounting for nearly half of rehomed dogs and cats. Pet problems were defined as problematic and/or aggressive behaviors or health problems. Although it’s up for debate, many trainers point out that there is no such thing as a bad dog. Perhaps it’s a lack of training and a routine schedule. Maybe a new dog-parent cannot sustain the new expenses. In any case, these dogs, cats and other animal children don’t take anything for granted. Once the parent and pet figure out how to make it work, magic happens. Dogs certainly take on their new roles in the family pack seriously. Protectors and companions for life.
He is a great example of a foster transitioning to an adoptee. Fostering doesn’t always have to involve a temporary relationship. There is something quite special when a pooch and foster parent bond so well they become family. It becomes bigger than helping a dog adjust to homelife and improving his or her health. The furry companionship has enhanced the life of the foster parent and now that furbaby’s love is completely reciprocated. A challenge for many foster parents is covering pet care expenses. Clearly, the Bidens have the means to pay for pet care no matter how expensive the costs. This is not the case for other foster parents. Usually, rescues and shelters incur the bills for food, supplies and medical care while the dog is being fostered. There are organizations available to help pet parents with their financial needs.
Adopt. Don’t shop. This may be an obvious one. The America Pet Products Association (APPA) reports one-third of dogs are purchased from breeders, while around a quarter of dogs and cats are taken from an animal shelter or humane society. Annually, around 1.5 million shelter dogs and cats are euthanized if they are not adopted in time. With the escalation of fostering and adoption applications during the pandemic, these projected numbers are expected to better. However, there are just too many companion animals already needing homes. With breeding, we can never see that number dramatically drop.
Inspire others to stay the course after the pandemic. A growing concern is the number of dogs and cats may be given up when owners resume their work schedules outside of home. The pet parent and pet transitioning to a new normal schedule can work. Planning ahead and having a village help. Not abandoning that dog or cat in need is rewarding in itself. And the bond between pet parent and pet is like no other relationship.