Bark for Barack

The folks at Organizing for America have come up with a way to reach the large group of pet-loving voters and over the weekend the Pet Lovers for Obama Facebook page was launched.

Obama for American Bark for Barack car magnet

This isn't the first time presidential hopefuls have used their pets to aid their campaigns, but it is the first in recent history.

President FDR included Fala a re-election speech after being falsely accused of using taxpayer dollars the dog's travel expenses. The speech later became known as the Fala Speech.

“These Republican leaders have not been content with the attacks on me, or my wife, or on my sons. No, not content with that, they now include my little dog. Fala. Well, of course, I don’t resent attacks, and my family doesn’t resent attacks, but Fala does resent  them. You know, Fala is Scotch, and being a Scottie, as soon as he learned that the Republican fiction writers in Congress and out had concocted a story that I had left him behind on the Aleutian Islands and sent a destroyer back to find him—at a cost to taxpayers of 2 or 3, or 20 million dollars—his Scotch soul was furious. He has not been the same dog since.” (watch the speech here)


It will be interesting to see how the campaign uses modern technology and the social networks to pet owners in this election year. The campaign is currently selling car magnets prominently featuring Bo and the slogan Bark for Barack. The Obama for America campaign store also sells a number of campaign items for pets, including Cats for Obama collars.

Pets with Newt?

From Pets with Newt

As many of my friends will tell you and you may have concluded from this blog, I'm a big proponent of lawmakers and their pets.

One of the current (because he may not be in the race much longer) GOP presidential candidates, Newt Gingrich recently launched the site Pets with Newt. While the site may have been created with the best of intentions in a effort to engage many animal-loving voters, it leaves one wondering, why doesn't Newt have a pet? Take a look around the site and let me know what you think, but there's a lot to be desired from this site.

Pets in the News--December 23, 2011

There have been a lot of pets in the news lately. Here's a round up.

US Weekly: Prince William and Kate Middleton getting a puppy for Christmas

ABCNews: Gingrich to Campaign with Pets and Music

USAToday: President Obama, dog Bo go Christmas shopping

The White House Christmas decorations include Bo. Here's a look at the making of some of the decorations from whiteouse.gov.

President Obama and Bo Go Holiday Shopping -- PICTURES - Ethan Klapper - NationalJournal.com

National Journal: President Obama and Bo Go Holiday Shopping -- PICTURES

Puppies help alleviate stress

From the Washington Post.

A recent article in the Washington Post noted how several universities are bringing in puppies during finals to help students alleviate stress.

A law student from George Mason noted the benefits,

“Especially this time of the year, law school seems to ruin your life,” said Allison Tisdale, 24, a third-year from Texas who didn’t go home for Thanksgiving because she had to study. Holding a squirming puppy, she said, “you get to be human again.”

Research continue to show the effectiveness of animals to help people deal with stress. 

Politicians deal with stress every day and it's important to understand that as public officials, they must be able to deal with their stress in order to do their job effectively. Some lawmakers, including Massachusetts Senator Scott Brown already understand the important role animals can have in their offices and often bring their animals to work. 

More lawmakers should consider bringing their pets to work for the benefit the staff and their own health. 

Larry, the Downing Street cat

People have very different view of cats, but one thing that is indisputable is that cats have played an important role throughout history in keeping the population of mice, rats and other vermin under control. 

A recent article from the Financial Times noted the role cats' have played in British society and politics for for years. 

Larry, the Downing Street cat. From BBC.

"The British have always been a nation of animal-lovers. But I think cat stories are particularly comforting at a time of economic crisis."

British Prime Minister David Cameron has tried to show his fondness of cats with the adoption of the latest Downing Street cat, Larry, after a rat was recently spotted in the street. Britain's prime ministers have historically had cats with the exception of former Prime Minister Tony Blair, whose wife was not so fond of cats and forbid their cat Humphrey from living in the house. 

Larry has attracted quite a bit of media attention since his adoption which has been a positive deflection from much of the news coverage of deficits and political unrest around the world. 

"Ever since the adoption of Larry, the media has lapped up a steady stream of stories about his life and times. In June, it was reported that Larry had got on well with President Barack Obama. That same month, rumours surfaced of a girlfriend called Maisie, living in a hut in nearby St James’ Park. Then, this week, there were reports that a mouse had been spotted in a ministerial meeting in Downing Street. Questions were raised about Larry’s hunting prowess, leading the BBC to run yet another cat story, which reported with mock solemnity: 'Downing Street has rebuffed calls for Larry to resign as Number 10’s cat after reports a mouse appeared at a ministerial dinner.'"

Whatever the case may be, it's nice to see another shelter cat find a home and in turn, boost morale. 

Scott Brown's cat

I realize I'm a little late to the game (ok, it's almost a year late), but better late than never.

Here's a great story on the kitten Senator Scott Brown's office found and adopted. I think the senator and kitten pictures could rival his former modeling pictures.

Check out Senator Brown's Facebook page for more pictures of Lucky.