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Sources have said it is a Portuguese water dog, but to clarify, Illinois Sen. Dick Durbin said on Chicago radio this morning that the Obamas would be getting their dog this week, but did not specify what kind of dog it is.

According to Katie McCormick Lelyveld, First lady Michelle Obama’s press secretary, the first family’s new dog is definitely not coming this week, CBS News reports. It is said that the family has apparently already selected the dog and met him a few weeks ago, but there is no clear statement on when the dog will come to live in the White House. Obama have made a comment that they would get the dog after the G20 summit.

Most of us know that the big Easter Egg Roll at the White House is this Monday, and I believe the president is set to fly to Mexico at the end of next week. The Obamas are particularly busy, but I think they would be able to manage squeezing in a few minutes to get the dog. We’ll see what happens!

The answer is — Yes! Perhaps this is the reason why my dog, Stinkie, is in a sneezing and scratching fit lately. I searched the internet for more information and this is what I found:

“Allergens that cause spring allergies in many of us–trees, grasses, weeds, dust mites, molds and insects–can cause skin infections, itching, sneezing and other reactions in our canine friends as well.

Constant paw licking, body rubbing and excessive scratching are all signs your dog may have an allergy. Hair loss, odor, rashes, a “flaky” or “greasy” feeling coat are other symptoms. Itching can also be caused by contagious mites, fungal infections, autoimmune skin diseases or hormonal abnormalities, so it’s important for your vet to distinguish the source.

Symptoms of airborne allergies are most often observed when dogs are between six months and four years old, but tend to become more severe with age. Dogs often show symptoms at the same time every year, usually when the seasons change.

Treatment can begin once an allergy is diagnosed. Simply washing the offending allergens off of your dog is often a great first line of defense. Washing your dog’s paws after spending time outdoors or frequent bathing of the entire body may also provide temporary relief. Oral supplements and medications may also provide relief, although something like fatty acid supplementation may take months to be effective. Over-the-counter antihistamines for humans provide relief in some cases, but never give these to your dog without asking your veterinarian first, as many also contain other ingredients that can be deadly for dogs, such as pseudo-ephedrine, ibuprofen or acetaminophen. Allergy vaccines, oral or topical steroids or oral cyclosporine can treat very severe seasonal allergies”— Dr. Heather Peikes

So pet parents, make sure you do careful observations and plan a trip to your veterinarian soon! These are the first steps in helping your pooch survive allergy season. Enjoy your springtime!

Dr. Heather Peikes is Manhattan’s only board-certified Veterinary Dermatologist. She practices at Animal Allergy and Dermatology, located at 32 West 25th Street; 212-206-0969; www.animalallergyanderm.com.

Be a part of the 2009 Reston Pet Fiesta!

It’s finally here and you wouldn’t want to miss it!!! Pet Fiesta is one of the biggest events of the year for animal owners and animal lovers alike. It is an outdoor festival attracting an average of 8,000 targeted visitors. Pet Fiesta brings together local businesses, rescue groups and pet owners for an exciting day of interactive activities, demonstrations, exhibitions and animals galore!

We are inviting everyone to be a part of this event. You and your business can even be an exhibitor and/or sponsor at the 9th Annual Pet Fiesta & Exhibition at Reston Town Center on Saturday, May 2, 2009.

Each year this thrilling event continues to grow bigger, and 2009 will present another amazing festival! Admission is free to the public, and the event benefits GoodDogz.org and RestonDogs. For more information, visit www.petfiesta.org

Hope to see you there!!

Gooddogz have decided to foster a great dog until he finds a great home. His name is Rocky.

Rocky is a beautiful male Greyhound Great Dane Mix with lots of energy. He is two years old and weighs about 80 lbs, and is altered. Rocky has been an outdoor dog all his life but is adapting to indoor life with little effort. He loves to curl up on dog beds and is very affectionate. It is unknown whether he does well with cats, but he adores playing with other dogs, but can be a little rough. Rocky came to us due to his owner falling victim to the economy. He grew up in a home with two kids, 5 and 7, and did great with them. It is unknown whether he is house-trained, but we have not experienced any “accidents” since we’ve fostered him. We are working on basic obedience, but he will need continued training to become a well-mannered gentleman. He is UTD on his vaccinations. His previous owner advised that if he gets loose he is difficult to get back, so a fenced yard is required.

Gooddogz is fostering Rocky until we can find him a great home. Could you please pass on the word to all of the dog lovers that you know? He’s a wonderful dog and we want to ensure that he goes to a home that will give him the love and attention he deserves. If you would like more information on Rocky, please email Beth Bates at beth@gooddogz.org

Let’s give this great pooch a home. Thanks!

Okay, this has never happened to me before until a few days ago. I am a dog owner myself, and after almost 4 long years of feeding my dog, ants suddenly showed up and invaded her food bowl.

Pesticides is a no-no! After some research, I found two different and 100% natural techniques to keep ants from raiding your pet’s food.

First, you can try to sprinkle ground cinnamon around your pet’s dish. The cinnamon should repel the ants. Another way is to dab a small amount of petroleum jelly around the base of the food bowl. Ants will not cross the petroleum jelly. Hopefully these simple tips will do the trick!

I have yet to try them myself. I’m not quite sure what made this happen just now, because she’s had the same dog food ever since. If any case ants do invade your pet’s food, these are two simple tips that one should try without have to worry about your pet ingesting any chemicals from pesticides!

The whole world seems to want to know what kind of breed the Obamas are getting. Michelle Obama told People Magazine that they will be getting the dog when the Obama daughters Sasha and Malia come back from Spring break in April. But the question everyone’s dying to know is, what kind?

The choice has finally been narrowed down to one breed! Mrs. Obama says the family is looking for a rescue Portuguese water dog who is “old enough” and a “match” for the family dynamic. “Frank” and “Moose” are two name choices the girls have come up with.

“Temperamentally they’re supposed to be pretty good,” Michelle Obama said. “From the size perspective, they’re sort of middle of the road - it’s not small, but it’s not a huge dog. And the folks that we know who own them have raved about them. So that’s where we’re leaning.”

So what does the first lady think of all the attention from the public regarding the family dog search? Michelle says “One of the things I didn’t anticipate is the level of the excitement about the dog. I knew my kids were excited. They’ve been excited for years. They’ve even calmed down, because they feel like, ‘They said we’re going to get one, so let’s just shut up about it.’ “

She adds, “It’s all great and gracious attention. People are just being as helpful as you can imagine. So I know that we will find the perfect breed. And we’ll find people who are caring folks who will help us find the dog of our dreams.”

Good luck on the search!

Do not miss the first of many fun GoodDogz events to come in 2009! Invite your friends and join us on February 24, 2009, 6:00 P.M. for HAPPY HOUR in honor of SPAY DAY USA!

This spectacular event will be celebrated with some information on the importance of spay & neuter and will also have information for new volunteers.

It will be held at Ice House Cafe & Oyster Bar, which is located at 760 Elden Street, Herndon, Virginia 20170. We have reserved some tables in the back bar and will be offering Happy Hour specials! Hope to see you there!

MUTTS © 2008 Patrick McDonnell

Last month, Obama has announced that the First Family has decided to adopt a dog that would live with them at the White House. The family wants a dog from a shelter, but they need one that will not trigger 10-year-old Malia’s allergies. But here are some updates on their search of the future First Family Pet.

During an interview with CNN’s Anderson Cooper, President Barack Obama said that the family is still undecided on what kind of dog they want to get, and that the decision would not be made until spring of this year. That means the girls are almost getting that puppy their dad promised them.

Last month, Obama revealed that his daughters, Malia and Sasha, had narrowed down their list of dog choices into two breeds: a Portuguese Water Hound or a Labradoodle. Labradoodles were originally a cross between the Labrador Retriever and the Standard Poodle, now they are a breed of their own! Labradoodle-Dogs.Net is currently the largest breeder directory in the Internet dedicated to the Labradoodle breed! They are committed to helping breeders and owners connect in a safe and secure environment.

Is it just pure coincidence, or is there really such a thing as dog discrimination?

Melissa Dahl, a health writer for msnbc.com, recently wrote an article about the so-called “black dog syndrome” - a phenomenon in pet rescue circles where “big, black dogs are often the last to be adopted from animal shelters.”

Gregg, 49, from Xenia, Ohio talks about a banner he’d seen on an Ohio animal shelter’s website containing words similar to “We know that you people prefer colors, but we’ve got wonderful black dogs here, won’t you please consider them?” Evidently, this suggests how difficult it is for big dogs with black coats to be adopted or find new homes.

Madeline Bernstein, the president of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animal, has plenty of theories about why adopters tend to rule out black dogs in most animal shelters. “It’s mostly an unconscious thing” she says, which is also true for black cats who have the same problems being adopted. People who are aware of superstitions about black cats being associated with “bad luck” may also be unconsciously passing this existing superstition about black dogs.

Reading this news about black dog discrimination made me sad and made my stomach churn a little. If there is indeed an absolute truth to this matter, then there has to be some sort of psychological explanation behind it. I have always thought black dogs are adorable, and I actually like how shinier their coats tend to appear compared to white or brown dogs.

For obvious reasons, the kinds of dogs that are less likely to be adopted in animal shelters are the older or the abused ones, or the sick and the injured ones. Apparently, little did we know that it has something to do with color as well. Whether or not this ongoing syndrome is associated with coincidence, superstition, or the color black, for some reason, just don’t appeal to potential adopters is still a big question.

Black is beautiful, but beauty is only skin deep. Give the black one a chance. It might just be the best thing that could ever happen to you.