
Bush and Barney, Just Like Old Times
You may have already read Bill Minutaglio’s piece about George Bush’s post-presidential life in this week’s dead tree issue of Newsweek, but you won’t see this quote in it: “And there I was, former president of the United States of America, with a plastic bag on my hand.” That’s what the former President told some graduating high school seniors in New Mexico Thursday, referring to some quality time he’s been spending with former first dog Barney. “Life is returning back to normal,” he added. He also told the graduates that he’d been relieved of the great sense of responsibility he’d had when in office. “And frankly, it’s a liberating feeling,” he said.
By: Katie Connolly
Source: The Gaggle
Posted: Just One More Pet
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May 23, 2009 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal or Pet Related Stories, Just One More Pet, On The Lighter Side, Pet Friendship and Love, Pets | Barney, Bo, dogs, First Dog, former first dog, former President Bush, Mrs. Beasley, President Bush, Presidential Pets, Scottish Terrior, Scotty, Spotty | 12 Comments
New First Pooch Is Arriving Soon
Warren Harding with Laddie Boy Library Of Congress / Getty ENLARGE + Print EmailShare ReprintsRelated
During the dog days of last summer, perhaps the most important looming decision facing Barack Obama was choosing a dog for his girls. Way back, as he set out on this quest for the Presidency, he made the one campaign promise he absolutely could not break: that when it was all over, whatever the outcome, his daughters could get a dog. And if they ended up at Pennsylvannia Avenue the pup would certainly not be the first dog or pet in the White House so would have a long legacy of presidential pets to follow and live up to.
Things have changed since the days when George Washington could name his hounds Drunkard, Tipler and Tipsy. Warren Harding’s Airedale Laddie Boy had a valet and occupied a hand-carved chair at Cabinet meetings. Ulysses S. Grant told his White House staff that if anything happened to his son’s beloved Newfoundland, they’d all be fired. Teddy Roosevelt had, along with a badger, a toad, some snakes and a pig, a bull terrier named Pete who once ripped the pants of a French ambassador. Cousin Franklin’s dog Fala had a press secretary, starred in a movie and was named an honorary private in the Army. George H.W. Bush’s springer spaniel Millie wrote a book, which sold more copies than the President’s autobiography. And then, of course, there was Checkers. Harry Truman supposedly once said, You want a friend in Washington? Get a dog. ( By Nancy Gibbs/TIME)
It’s hard enough to pick the right dog. But adding the fact that you may be the First Family and need a hypoallergenic breed increases the difficulty of the process. So the American Kennel Club (AKC), hoping to help ensure the 23rd purebred dog into the White House, conducted a survey. The public could even vote online for the type of dog they thought the Obamas should get for the AKC survey, and other groups sponsored similar surveys. Since first daughter Malia has allergies, the AKC limited the ballot choice to five hypoallergenic breeds. It suggested the bichon frise with its history as a companion to French noblemen implying qualification of the breed for the White House. But perhaps it was not the exact image the Obamas were looking for. It recommended the miniature schnauzer as an excellent watchdog, for a little added security (although probably not needed), and the soft-coated wheaten terrior with its sweet-temperament as a positive goodwill ambassador, though it “must be handled firmly and with consistency,” which also may not have been the ideal characteristic choice for the candidate of Change.
The AKC’s preference for purebreds, however, missed the obvious stellar opportunity for the Obamapup. Surely a self-proclaimed postpartisan reformer, who promised to ‘reach across the aisle’, would lean toward some stunningly blended mutt, a rescued shelter dog or at least one of the American Canine Hybrid Club’s 500 plus registered hybrids. Afterall, the hybrid pooch or designer dog was bred to give you the best of both breeds: a Labradoodle, a Peke-a-Poo, a Bagle (half basset, half beagle) or a Chiweenie (half chihuahua, half dachshund). A bully pulpit seeking candidate might like the Bullypit (a bulldog-pit-bull mix), or he could go for a Sharmatian–part Chinese Shar-Pei, part Dalmatian–and get the whole East-and-West, black-and-white thing going in one single pooch.
There was even a suggestion during the campaign, that their decision for a type of dog, if not actually getting one before the election, should be moved up, given the competition from the ‘McCainines’. An AP–Yahoo News poll last June (2008) found that pet owners favored John McCain over Obama, 42% to 37%, with an even bigger margin among dog owners. One participant explained that it “tells you that they’re responsible at least for something, for the care of something.” Or, in the McCains’ case, “many somethings”: their menagerie includes a slew of fish, some parakeets, turtles Cuff and Link, Oreo the cat and four dogs, including terriers Lucy and Desi. Obama could take comfort in his 14-point lead among non–pet owners, except that they form a definate minority of U.S. households.
The Obamas were pre-warned, that although a good one, they were definitely looking at another major life change by getting a dog for the first time. “A dog was never an option in the apartment where I grew up”, said Obama, “and my daughters knew that training the dog they so desperately wanted was nothing compared with training me to accept one”.
Well it is now two and a half months into the presidency and still no first dog, and it seems like the whole world, at least the pet loving world, is waiting for their choice and the arrival of the first pooch. The word from First Lady Michelle is April, after their Spring Break family vacation, and possibly a Portuguese Water Dog… and not a puppy (which could mean that in the end the AKC got their next purebred into the White House afterall). Senator Ted Kennedy, whose neice Caroline got a pony while in the White House, highly recommended the breed. He has two. Their coat is a single layer and does not shed. In most cases, these dogs are hypo- allergenic, making them a good choice for those that have allergies.
So, there will be a new pooch frolicking on the South Lawn by the end of this month.
The next obvious question for speculation, of course, is the perfect name for the next first dog. Some suggest the Obamas should just get two, one for each of the girls, and call them Hope and Change. Of course there are others that suggest getting two dogs but calling them Smoke and Mirror or Fear and “Quo”, for Status Quo, would be the best call, but that would be a subject for another type of blog or article.
Related Articles:
- President Bush and His Pets
- Arrival of New First Pooch Imminent
- Bush and Barney, Just Like Old Times
By Marion Algier/Ask Marion – Posted – Just One More Pet
April 3, 2009 Posted by justonemorepet | Animal or Pet Related Stories, Animal Rescues, Just One More Pet, Pets, Political Change, Success Stories | airedale, AKC, American Canine Hybrid Club, American KEnnel Club, American Short Hair, animals, badger, Bagel, Barney, basset hound, bichon frise, blood hound, Bo, bull terrior, bulldog, bully pulpit, bullypit, Canine Hybrids, Cats, change, Checkers, chihuahua, Chineses Shar-Pei, Chiweenie, Cuff and Link, dachshund, dalmatian, Designer Dogs, Dog Lovers, dog owners, dogs, Drunkard, Fala, Fear, First Dog, First Dog Misdeeds, first pet, fish, Get a Dog, Hope, hounds, hybrid dogs, hypo-allergenic, hypoallergenic breeds, India, John McCain, kitty, Labradoodle, Labrador Retriever, Laddie Boy, Lucy and Desi, McCainines, menagerie, Millie, miniature schnauzer, Mirror, Mrs. Beasley, mutts, Newfoundland, non-pet owners in minority in U.S., Obamapup, Oreo, parakeets, Peke-a-Poo, Pekinese, pet lovers, pet loving world, pet names, pet owners, Pete, pig, pit bull, pony, pooch, poodle, Portie, Portuguese Water Dog, President Bush, President Grant, President Harding, President Obama, President Roosevelt, President Truman, President Washington, Presidential Pets, purebreds, Quo, Rescue Dog, Scottish Terrior, Senator Kennedy, Sharmatian, shelter dog, Smoke, snakes, Spotty, springer spaniel, terriors, Tipler, Tipsy, toad, turtles, wheaten terrier, Willie | 10 Comments
President Bush and His Pets

Spotty
In my book, you can tell a lot about a person by the way they relate to animals and how they treat their pets. Much good and bad has been said and written about former President George W. Bush but what you can definitely say is that he loves animals and has a good heart. The Bushes had four pets with them during their years in the White House: Spot Fetcher (Spotty), Barney, Miss Beazley and India (also known as Willie or Kitty).
In February 2004 the Bush family lost their 15-year-old English Springer, Spotty. Spotty was the daughter of Millie Bush, the well-known dog of President Bush’s parents, who was born in the White House during George H.W. Bush’s term on March 17, 1989. Spot was named for former Texas Ranger baseball player Scotty Fletcher.
Spot was always eager to please and was never far from the President’s side to the very end, but after suffering a series of strokes the President and his wife, Laura, went along with the veterinarian’s recommendation to put Spotty to sleep. The evening before she was put down, a White House staffer saw the president sitting on the floor cradling Spotty in his arms and talking to her; a touching moment that tells a lot.
The friendly brown-and-white spaniel was regularly seen wandering around the West Wing and the South Lawn alongside the other more energetic and younger Bush dog, Barney, a black 3-year-old Scottish terrier. The two dogs were always brought out to greet the president upon his return to the White House from trips, no matter the hour. They also often traveled with the Bushes to Texas or Camp David. Spot was always the more obedient of the two, loyally climbing onto Air Force One or a helicopter without any prompting while Bush often had to chase Barney down and then hand him off to an aide to be carried aboard.
Mrs. Bush has often said, – especially with the two Bush daughters off at college – “Talking about and playing with the dogs and the family’s much more withdrawn cat, Willie, makes up a significant portion of our entertainment. Spotty will be missed.”
After Spot went to doggie Heaven, the Bush’s acquired Miss Beazley, another Scotty, as a companion for Barney. Both were featured on the Barney cam and had their own web page while the Bushes were in the White House and have now returned to Texas with the family. Sadly India the family’s 18-year-old American short-haired cat passed away in January, just days before Bush left the office of the presidency. India had been named for former Texas Rangers player Ruben Sierra. Bush daughter Barbara, then 9, named the cat “India” after the former major league player, whose nickname was “El Indio.” President George W. Bush was a former co-owner of the Texas Rangers.
Much can be learned about a person by the way they relate to animals and how they treat their pets. But, perhaps even more can be learned about them by the way they love their pets at the end. The Bush White House pets no doubt helped the President through some of his toughest times and from all evidence the love and concern went both ways.
By: Marion Algier/Ask Marion for Just One More Pet
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Barney and Miss Beazley follow President George W. Bush along the West Wing Colonnade Wednesday, July 23, 2008, on the way back to the Oval Office at the White House. White House photo by Joyce Boghosian |

March 9, 2009 Posted by justonemorepet | Just One More Pet, On The Lighter Side, Pet Events, Pet Friendship and Love, pet fun, Pets, Unusual Stories | All The Presidents' Pets, American Short Hair, Barney, Barney Cam, caring pet owners, Cats, dogs, El Indio, English Springer Spaniel, First Cat, First Dog, First Dogs, India, kitty, Millie, Mrs. Beasley, Pets in the White House, pooch, President Bush, President George W. Bush, Presidential Pets, Ruben Sierra, Scottish Terrior, Scotty Fletcher, Spot, Texas Rangers, White House Pets | 14 Comments
Save a Life…Adopt Just One More…Pet!
Everyday we read or hear another story about pets and other animals being abandoned in record numbers while at the same time we regularly hear about crazy new rules and laws being passed limiting the amount of pets that people may have, even down to one or two… or worse yet, none.
Nobody is promoting hoarding pets or animals, but at a time when there are more pets and animals of all types being abandoned or being taken to shelters already bursting at the seams, there is nothing crazier than legislating away the ability of willing adoptive families to take in just one more pet!!
Our goal is to raise awareness and help find homes for all pets and animals that need one by helping to match them with loving families and positive situations. Our goal is also to help fight the trend of unfavorable legislation and rules in an attempt to stop unnecessary Euthenization!!
“All over the world, major universities are researching the therapeutic value of pets in our society and the number of hospitals, nursing homes, prisons and mental institutions which are employing full-time pet therapists and animals is increasing daily.” ~ Betty White, American Actress, Animal Activist, and Author of Pet Love
‘Until One Has Loved an Animal, Part of Their Soul Remains Unawakened’
So if you have the room in your home and the love in your heart… Adopt Just One More Pet or consider becoming a Foster parent for pets… Also check out: Little Critter: Just One More Pet
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There is always room for Just One More Pet. So if you have room in your home and room in your heart… Adopt Just One More! If you live in an area that promotes unreasonable limitations on pets… fight the good fight and help change the rules and legislation…
Save the Life of Just One More…Animal!
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As I have been fighting Cancer… A battle I am gratefully winning, my furkids have not left my side. They have been a large part of my recovery!! Ask Marion
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If you can adopt or foster just one more pet, you could be saving a life, while adding joy to your own! Our shelters are over-flowing… Please join the fight to make them all ‘NO-Kill’ facilities.
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- Keep Your Pets Safe on the 4th of July June 30, 2015Family and friends of G.R. Gordon-Ross watch his private fireworks show at the Youth Sports Complex in Lawrence, Kan., Friday, June 28, 2013. (AP Photo/Orlin Wagner) Mercury News – Originally posted on July 02, 2013: The Fourth of July is one of my favorite holidays. Hot dogs, potato salad and, of course, fireworks. But Independence […]justonemorepet
- JOMP Salutes Doggie Dads Both Two and Four Legged June 21, 2015Very few dogs have the experience of being parents these days and especially seeing their litters through the process of weaning and then actually being able to remain part of a pack with at least part of their family. Apachi is our Doggie Dad. He is a Chiweenie and here he is is watching his […]justonemorepet
- Smartest Dog In the World, Chaser – 60 Minutes With Anderson Cooper June 15, 2015By Marion Algier – Just One More Pet (JOMP) – Cross-Posted at AskMarion Anderson Cooper met Chaser, a dog who can identify over a thousand toys, and because of whom, scientists are now studying the brain of man’s best friend. Chaser is also the subject of a book: Chaser: Unlocking the Genius of the Dog […]justonemorepet
- Quebec bill changes animals from "property" to sentient beings and includes jail time for cruelty June 14, 2015By Tamara – Dog Heirs – Cross-Posted at JOMP Quebec, Canada – Animals will be considered “sentient beings” instead of property in a bill tabled in the Canadian province of Quebec. The legislation states that "animals are not things. They are sentient beings and have biological needs." Agriculture Minister Pierre Paradis proposed the bill and […] […]justonemorepet
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One More PetEmily loves animals so much that she can’t resist bringing them home. When a local farmer feels under the weather, she is only too eager to “feed the lambs, milk the cows and brush the rams.” The farmer is so grateful for Emily’s help that he gives her a giant egg... Can you guess what happens after that? The rhythmic verse begs to be read aloud, and the lively pictures will delight children as they watch Emily’s collection of pets get bigger and bigger.
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A recent national survey revealed just how much Americans love their companion animals. When respondents were asked whether they’d like to spend life stranded on a deserted island with either their spouse or their pet, over 60% said they would prefer their dog or cat for companionship!January 2021 M T W T F S S 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31