Is This The Obamas' New Dog?

Senator Kennedy holds 13-week old Cappy.  AP photo released by the Senator's office around January 12, 2009.  Cappy would be between 4-5 months old now.

This is just a theory.  But I can't get it out of my mind, because the more I review every first puppy story in the news, the more I suspect that Cappy, Senator Edward Kennedy's newest Portuguese Water Dog, might actually be the Obama family's new puppy.

Here, Columbo-final-scene-like, I will show you my reasoning…

First, you may not be aware that Senator Kennedy and his wife Vicki have three Portuguese Water Dogs.  Many recent stories mistakenly indicate they have only two, Splash and Sunny, both of whom appeared last summer in the video tribute to Senator Kennedy at the Democratic National Convention. Cappy didn't make the video because he was not a part of the Kennedy family yet.  He had not even been born yet.

In fact, John Berman of ABC News broke the story of the Kennedy's third Portie on Monday, January 12, 2009.  Berman was following up on President Obama's own breaking news the previous day when he told George Stephanopolous that the family had narrowed their choice down to two breeds, a Labradoodle (not actually a breed) and a Portuguese Water Dog (the President said hound).

So, Berman set out that following Monday to get comments from "owners of both candidates."  And, "after deploying the vast resources of ABC news," learned that Henry Winkler was a proud owner of a Labradoodle.

Winkler told Berman:

"The Labradoodle is smart, the Labradoodle is sweet, the Labradoodle is filled with the spirit of Life.  The Labradoodle hops everywhere, he doesn't just walk, our Labradoodle is a girl, her name is Charlette.  And I promis you, if the President has a Labradoodle in the White House he can have that dog on the economic team."

He also issued a broadside at the owners of Portuguese Water Dogs, …

"I understand that it must be terrible to feel so wrong, but the thing is that you are lovely people, enjoy your pets, the Labradoodle rules!"

Then, Berman contacted the most famous Portie owner in D.C., Senator Edward Kennedy, and seemed pleasantly surprised by the Senator's "amazingly fulsome" emailed response:

"A Portuguese Water Dog is the perfect choice for the First Dog.  The Obama girls – and their parents – will love a Portuguese Water Dog.  They're loyal, smart, loving and they became a real part of the family.  And they definitely do not shed.  And if they're lucky, they'll find a really smart dog like mine who can even write a book.  My dog Spash wrote My Senator and Me: A Dog's Eye View of Washington, D.C.

I take Sunny and Splash to the Senate with me, and they love being around people and being part of the action.  In fact, they're so much fun that we've just added a new Portuguese Water Dog puppy to our family – Captains Courageous is his name.  We call him Cappy for short.  And he's another winner.

I think the Obamas' should double their fun and get two Portuguese Water Dogs.  They love to be active, and they can help entertain each other.

I understand that a Labradoodle – also known as a Portuguese Water Dog wannabe – is also being considered.  Hmmmm.  I hope someone checks into the shedding situation.  I know lots of people who have Labradoodles that are more Lab than Poodle – and they definitely shed.   Sorry, Mr. Winker, but that's a fact.

I am proud to endorse the Portuguese Water Dog as the next First Dog (or Dogs) of the United States.  They have a can do and hopeful spirit, they are smart, they are resilient, they are determined, they are optimistic and they are tireless.  Sounds like a perfect fit for the Obama family and the Obama Administration."

Now, notice a few things about this written statement:

1. Senator Kennedy does not use the conditional like Henry Winkler did.  Kennedy writes:  "The Obama girls and their parents will love a Portuguese Water Dog. (Emphasis mine.)

2.   Why is Senator encouraging the Obamas to get two Porties unless he already knows they are getting one?  You can't double what you don't already own.

3. He mentions that he takes Sunny and Splash to the Senate.  Not Cappy, who may be too busy being trained in First Puppy protocol.

4. Then he singles out Cappy as "another winner."  Here, Kennedy is in full campaign mode and could be alluding not to his other dogs, but "another winner" in addition the winner he endorsed as President of the United States, Barack Obama.

Now, consider the President's dilemma as he expounded on it in November 2008 at his first press conference as President-elect.  Lynn Sweet of the Chicago Sun-Times asked him about his election night puppy promise to his girls, and the President pointed out that the family had to reconcile two criteria;  their preference was to get a shelter dog, but because Malia has allergies the breed must be hypollagergenic.

And then, the President-to-be and skilled lawyer that he is, chooses his words very carefully…

"Whether or not we are going to be able to balance those two things is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

He makes no promise to get a shelter dog, even thought there is tremendous pressure for his family to set an example and not go to a breeder when so many shelter dogs need a home.

Now, jump to this week.  The President has already told Jay Leno that the dog "will be in place after the G-20."  Mrs. Obama told People that they had to wait until after the girls' spring break (it was at the end of March).  And Politico reports a dog has been spotted at the White House.

As puppy-mania intensifies, The Washington Post's Mary Ann Akers, AKA The Sleuth, puts her detective skills to work and uncovers a few more intriguing details. 

1. There are rumors that the girls will get a puppy for Easter.

2. There are rumors that Senator Kennedy will be acting as the Easter Bunny and will be bestowing said puppy.

3. Spokespeople from the Washington Animal Rescue League and the Washington Humane Society  confirm that no one from the Obama Administration has contacted them about rescuing, meeting, or considering any of their dogs.

Now, to my own sources.  Not a peep from the East Coast Portie people about a new Portie litter with candidates for the First Family.  No word on a special Portie being summoned to the White House for a Fist Puppy audition.

So where would a Portie puppy come from who is young enough to still bond with a new family but old enough to be well trained, who has been vetted by a trusted insider, and who is not from a pound but not directly from a breeder either?  Answer:  Senator Ted Kennedy.

And if my theory is correct, and Cappy is the new Fist Puppy, we might all wake up on Easter morning and find out that low and behold, there is a Kennedy back in the White House!

Note: I contacted Senator Kennedy's office before posting this story.  The nice person who answered told me she didn’t know anything about the Obamas' new dog, but confirmed that the Senator owns three fantastic dogs and spoke highly of the Portuguese Water Dog breed.  She also said she had never met Cappy.

As the Senator would say…Hmmmm.

8:44 PM Update: Sue, the owner of eight Porties and the writer of The Portuguese Water Blog, informed me that within the Portie community, the Cappy/First Dog theory has been well known for several months.  In fact, Sue posted about it on her blog back in February 26, 2009:

What the PWD community knows that the public doesn't is this. Several weeks ago Senator Ted Kennedy, who has two adult PWDs, Sunny and Splash, took possession of a new puppy called Cappy. We all wondered about the timing because the Senator is so ill, but the rumor is that he took the puppy with the intention of presenting it as a gift to the Obama girls when the time was right.

She also mentions her mixed feelings about what fame might do to the breed:

There have been a lot of rumors in the Portuguese Water Dog community for several months about this matter and most of us have mixed feelings. I'd like to see the breed I love and have lived with for so long recognized for it's great attributes. I'm also very worried about what the publicity might do to the breed. I've seen fame damage other breeds and I don't want to see it happen to my beloved Porties.

Thoughts?

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Comments

[Buffy Nicolas]

Well done, Moira!
Willy, the East Coast Portie, who is anticipating a Portie play date in his future, says, "You made the breed proud today!"
Buffy and her PWD, Willy

[rebecca]

oh my gosh girl ...you are thinking this thing through. What if they end up with an Irish Wolfhound?

All I can say is if they are gifted with a pup it will be the best gift ever. Politics and PR aside ... the gift of a dog can be the best gift you ever receive. Our Atticus was a gift, and he brought so much joy and unending possibility into our lives.

[Sue]

I have eight Porties and have been hearing the rumors about Cappy for several months. I have written about it on my blog. We have mixed feelings about seeing a PWD in the White House.

[Ter]

I am following the story too, this has the impact of a missile launch from N. Korea seem pale in comparison. This is newz and history is made again. The Whitehouse now has a victory garden thanks to Michelle's handy green thumb and now a beautiful puppy and kids. This is a moment to remember- the First Dog is near...and getting closer to the Whitehouse. The dog has been vetted, and is accepting the post.
More to come ....much more happiness to follow...as this story develops ...Anderson Cooper has been spotted near some bushes near the Whitehouse...close enough to catch a glimpse of First Dog...but alas....he/ or she...eludes us still....contd.

[Lisa]

As Sue mentioned, this has been a rumor in the PWD community for months. Everything fits, doesn't it?

Hmmm, should someone tell Mr. Winkler that his Labradoodle might have hip dysplasia? "The Labradoodle hops everywhere, he doesn't just walk" Might be time to look at some hip xrays!

[Terri the Terrorist Terrier]

What's with these rich people and their foreign dogs? I'm a proud American mixed breed from the animal shelter, and I am as loyal and playful as any dog EVER, and I am a damn good watch dog, too.

I like it just fine here in Florida, but I bet there are plenty of fine dogs in the Washington shelter who would be great Whit House dogs, and more than a few in Chicago if the Obama girls want a dog from home.

Grrr...!

[lunarmagpie]

Thanks so much for all the time you have put into this, Moira!

Although I work for a shelter and have been very involved in purebred rescue for many years, I just can't in good conscience recommend an adopted dog for every situation. There are a lot of things to consider, and the Obamas have several unique concerns, not the least of which is a very allergic daughter. Obviously, they can't and shouldn't get just any dog as the potential for someone's heart being broken is far too great.

While may be argued that they would set a good example by adopting a pet, I happen to believe they are already setting an excellent example by not rushing into an adoption. It's at least as important to be sure the timing is right, and to do one's homework to be sure the right pet is chosen, as it is to be "politically correct" by adopting, imho. My shelter and rescue experience has shown me that if more people would be as careful as the Obamas are being in choosing the right pet at the right time, there would be fewer pets in shelters in the first place.

I can totally sympathize with the concerns the Portie fanciers are feeling about the possibility of having their breed represented in the White House. My own breed (Xoloitzcuintle) was a brief consideration due to their potential to be hypoallergenic, and those of us in this breed had mixed feelings as well. It's hard to not feel pride when you see your breed being chosen to be in the limelight, but you must always consider the potential for problems that come with sudden fame.

When the presidential dog does finally make its appearance in the White House, I hope responsible, caring breeders and rescue groups alike will take advantage of the publicity surrounding the situation.

Please continue to encourage the public to remember all that goes along with dog ownership and to spend the time to make a wise decision before they bring any pet into their homes.

I'm going to keep my fingers and toes crossed that the Obama girls will soon have their new best friend, and that he will be a perfect match that will serve as a wonderful example for our country.

[sabrina]

way to go moira! you had your finger on the pulse of this from the very beginning! i know we were all hoping for a rescue but they did bring some awareness to rescues and who knows maybe they'll get another...:)

[pet supplies]

well done, great post

[Grey Poodle]

President Obama’s Family Dog should Have Been a Poodle. I think the best breed of dog is a Poodle. Poodles are amazingly smart and quick learners. They are great companions and wonderful with children. They are very friendly and can be very protective. They are the only dogs from all dog breeds that have no dog smell as well as they do not shed their hair. You can keep their hair long or short and they are absolutely beautiful either way. I wish Obama’s family picked a Poodle, but the Portuguese Water Dog Bo has grown on me after seeing his pictures and all the media attention. Well he still needs to learn to stop chewing peoples’ feet as mentioned in many articles. He still has much to learn, which comes naturally to a Poodle. As we all know, Mr. Obama’s daughters are supposed to take care of the puppy, but it appears Michelle has fallen for Bo and thinks of him as “her dog”. She walks him at 5:15 a.m. and throughout the day on a regular basis. President Obama takes Bo for a walk in the late evening. I hope they clean up after Bo with Biodegradable Dog Waste Bags since they care so much about the environment. LuckyDogMart.com will be happy to be of service. We have a special promotion of BioBags during the month of May at www.LuckyDogMart.com. We wish Bo and family many happy times in the White House

[pet sling carrier]

interesting!
thanks

[ganhar dinheiro]

Great post ! i've already subscribed to your feed. Thanks.

[Ganhar Dinheiro]

Very funny, congratulations!

[Mike]

By any chance did you find out if Cappy is Obama's family dog? Cappy is a dog now not a puppy.

[Elisangela]

What's with these rich people and their foreign dogs? I'm a proud American mixed breed from the animal shelter, and I am as loyal and playful as any dog EVER, and I am a damn good watch dog, too.

I like it just fine here in Florida, but I bet there are plenty of fine dogs in the Washington shelter who would be great Whit House dogs, and more than a few in Chicago if the Obama girls want a dog from home.

Grrr...!
Thank you. I learned more from you than all the other programs I bought. You are the best!