While I may be living the high life, there are a lot of my dog counterparts who aren’t. As Bo, the First Puppy, I wanted to draw your attention to an important issue that’s commonly overlooked by people things around the world. This very serious issue is about controlling the dog population. I know, people things love us cute, cuddly puppies…but in the end, a lot of us wind up abandoned, neglected, or worse, abused. While good intentions are great, our human counterparts don’t always give us the “forever homes” we’d like to have and keep.

According to the Humane Society of the United States, there are almost 75 millions dogs that live with people things in the United States. Only 10 percent of these dogs are adopted from animal shelters — which brings me to the next points of consideration: Up to eight million cats and dogs enter shelters annually; nearly four million are euthanized each and every year. As Bo, the First Puppy, I want to convey a strong and critical message: Please people, when you adopt a dog or cat, make sure it’s the one for you and your family. Your puppy or kitten depends on you entirely for all their needs – medical care, food, water, immunizations, shelter…and most importantly, your love and affection. Too many times, people things adopt dogs like me and tether us to a tree in the backyard, or worse, let us run loose unattended. We need good dog parents who are willing to let us live in their homes, have a big fenced yard in which we can run and play, and are willing to be our dog parents for the rest of our lives. There’s not much more we puppies can ask for.

In a Dog’s World

In a dog’s world
We live only for you
In a dog’s world
We’ll give our heart to you
In a dog’s world
You’re the apple of our eyes
In a dog’s world
We’ll stand right by your side
In a dog’s world
Playtime is anytime you’re home
In a dog’s world
We hate to be left alone
In a dog’s world
We’ll kiss you everyday
In a dog’s world
We can’t wait to see your face
In a dog’s world
We’re only lonely when you’re not there
In a dog’s world
We depend entirely on you for your love and care

(Exclusive by C.A.B.L. for BoTheFirstPuppy.wordpress.com)

Visit the Humane Society for more statistics and dog adoption information; or join the campaign at DogsDeserveBetter.org to rescue puppies every where.

*Learn about how you can get your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today; where 10 percent of all proceeds go to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. If you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Other puppies, like wrinkly Chinese Sharpei are great indoor dogs, but they require a lot of grooming and health maintenance.

Sharpei

While they’re cute and cuddly at the start, those heavy wrinkles can lead to rubbing and chafing of the dog’s tender skin; which could require medical care. Other health issues like eye entropia cause the pet’s eyelid to roll inward. This physical situation usually requires surgery. Other than these main health problems, Chinese Sharpei can be lovable, protective dogs. But, word to the wise, these cuddly critters need to be well socialized so they don’t become too territorial.

English Pointers make for a great family pet as well. However, they are active dogs that require a lot of exercise and leg room to run. While healthcare maintenance is minimal on these animals, they tend to do better in a single-pet home.

Doberman Pinschers and Rottweilers are the ever-vigilant guards, ready to protect home and family from outside predators. If well socialized, these gentle giants can be loyal, loving comrades. The great thing about Dobermans is that they don’t shed very much. Rottweilers, on the other hand, need a good brushing every now and then to keep the extra fur at bay. Bare in mind, though, that these breeds grow to be very large; so we may be a bit clumsy and might accidentally topple a young toddler by mistake.

Retriever and Labrador mixes are super family pets. Though they do require hair maintenance, they’re typically well-adapted to both adults and young children. These furry creatures need routine hair maintenance, but are so happy-go-lucky, that they’ll do anything for a treat. These types of dogs can become rather large as they mature, so you’ll have to train them not to jump around small children or other adult people things.

Of course, I’d love for you to adopt a Portuguese water dog, because that’s my breed. We aren’t very large dogs, but we’re not small dogs either. We water dogs are known for our swimming skills and hypoallergenic skin, so we make great pets for people, who suffer from common allergies but still want to have a loving dog. We need lots of exercise, so daily walks and a large yard to roam would be perfect.

While I’m partial to Portuguese water dogs (hint, hint), Bo the First Puppy wants you to select the dog that adopts you first. In most cases, you can walk into a local shelter and at first glance, you’ll find the perfect dog for you and your family. Look for the puppy that willingly comes up to you and licks your hand – chances are, he’s the guy for you!

*Learn about how you can get your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today; where 10 percent of all proceeds go to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. If you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Awareness for canine cancer

Through generous donations from kind

Individuals like yourself, and

Only through the innovation of the

National Canine Cancer Foundation

Are these things possible

Love your dogs by giving to the National

Canine Cancer Foundation where

All things are possible through

Nice and loving people who

Independently give from their hearts and realize the

Need for alternative and

Efficient healing treatments that

Can extend the lives and life quality of

All dogs both here in this

Nation and around the world.

Canine cancer can be prevented if we take

Effective measures to create

Real, healing cures for dogs

Find it in your heart to

Offer the means and the way to

Understanding the great lengths and efforts that the

National Canine Cancer Foundation does, and can do through generous

Donations made by compassionate folks who want to

Address the dreaded disease

That takes the innocent lives of dogs

In these United States.

Open your heart and make a difference for the

National Canine Cancer Foundation today.

*Learn more about how you can contribute to the National Canine Cancer Foundation by purchasing your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today; where 10 percent of all proceeds are donated to this great organization. If you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Or click on the link below to make a generous donation:

1. Puppy-proofing. Before you bring your new addition home, you need to puppy-proof your house. We puppies get really bored really fast, so we tend to chew on things that we probably shouldn’t. So obvious items you’ll want to put out of site include shoes, electrical cords and wires, paper magazines, and other material objects that could get caught in our small throats or do physical harm to us. And because no one wants to come home to a giant mess, this brings us to tip number two:

2. Crate training your new family member. At first, puppies might be skeptical about going into a wire crate, but good dog moms and dads will often put a comfy blanket in a dog crate to make puppy’s new living quarters soft and warm. The best way to introduce a crate to your new pet is to leave the crate door open when you’re at home so he can feel comfortable going in and out as he pleases. When you leave for work, to the store, or when you go to bed at night, be sure to escort puppy into his little abode where he can be free from harm and safe in his little sleeping place. Eventually they’ll be so used to going into their crates, that they’ll do it automatically when ever the lights go out or you leave your home.

3. Puppy potty training. Puppies aren’t just cute and cuddly, they’re actually fairly smart little critters. They learn fast, so consistency is key to getting your furry child to behave accordingly. Each and every time your puppy eats, plays, wakes up from a nap, or after drinking — it’s time to take your puppy outside. I know this might get a little tedious, but again, the more patience your practice in taking your puppy outdoors to do his business, the faster he’ll get adapted to letting you know when he needs to go outside.

4. To have or not to have a doggy door… If you have a grassy, fenced, secure and clean yard, you can almost always benefit from a doggy door. As Bo, the First Puppy, I recommend going to your local pet supply store where you can review all the available sizes to make certain that you get the adequate door to accommodate your dog. Remember, we won’t stay small puppies forever, so you may not want to get a Chihuahua-sized doggie door for a Great Dane. Doggie doors are great tools in helping your new puppy to go in and out on her own to use the potty (or just to chase butterflies whenever she wants). Like any training, you’ll need to be consistent in showing puppy how to open the doggie door to go in and out freely. Once puppy has her entrance and exit strategy down, she’ll be going outside every time she needs to do so.

5. Doggie toys and treats. Puppies love new toys and treats. But be very careful with which treats you offer puppy. My people things only give me safe and healthy toys and treats. Whole rawhide is not very safe for puppies because we can accidentally bite off a big chunk and it can get caught in our throats or twisted in our tiny stomachs…which could be life threatening. Good toys must be tough because we love to chew, chew, chew. If you pick up a toy and you can cut it with a pair of scissors, it’s probably not a good idea to give it to us. We have sharp, little needle teeth that can cut through rawhide; so words to the wise: tough toys only. Treats can be made from rawhide, but they need to be crafted with particle rawhide so that if we do break off a piece, it won’t hurt us. There are other great treats that are made from sweet potatoes and chicken particles — these are always good treats to have as rewards. Milk bones are also a good, crunchy treat — but be careful, treats can be really fattening, so we need to stick to just one or two per day.

6. Puppy commands. Like Bo, the First Puppy, almost all puppies are really smart! We pick up on body language, eye contact, and subtle gestures that most people things won’t. We can be trained to do just about anything if we put our minds to it, and if our people things are willing to be patient with us. For instance, we can be trained basic commands like sit, stay, lay, come, heel (and beg – my favorite) in just a matter of minutes with the right handling. Actually, coming and sitting for our dog moms and dads comes naturally to us anyway, so all we need to learn is how to identify what command is what. My people things use both words and hand signals so that I can learn to just see the hand motion and know exactly what to do. This type of puppy training is the best kind, because if we ever wander away from our home and we can’t always distinguish voices from traffic or other outdoor noises, we’ll be able to recognize the hand commands to know what to do to keep us from harm. There are some pet stores like PetSmart that offer beginner through advanced puppy training classes for a modest fee, so if you need help training your little one, don’t hesitate to ask qualified pet trainers or other dog moms and dads for their advice.

7. Puppy nutrition. You wouldn’t feed your newborn infant steak and potatoes, so you shouldn’t feed your new puppy adult dog food either. There are several brands from which to choose, but one of the people things I know feeds her puppies Pedigree puppy food to keep her furry children healthy and happy. She mixes canned puppy food with dry dog food for easier digestion. But you can feed your puppy whichever brand you’d like as long as it’s for dog babies. Look for higher protein content because these are typically healthier than other puppy foods. Also, if you have a very young puppy, you may need to moisten dry puppy food with a little water so puppy can easily chew and swallow food. Depending on the dog breed, your puppy’s food intake may vary from as little as one-half cup three or four times a day, on up to two-three cups a couple times per day. While puppy food recommendations are posted on the back of most dog food bags, you should always check with the dog breeder or your family veterinarian to determine the sufficient amount to give your furry kids.

8. Selecting a Veterinarian. If you haven’t yet chosen a veterinarian, now is the time to do so. Ask for references from friends and family. When you call to schedule puppy’s initial check-up, most good vets will offer a puppy package that includes valuable coupons and discounts for puppy health maintenance items like heartworm preventatives, immunizations, specialized dog foods, grooming, and more. My best advice is to seek a veterinarian that cares tremendously about the dog’s wellbeing. You can usually get a feel for the vet when you meet him or her in person. But don’t forget to ask other dog-patient moms and dads how they feel about the vet to get the best impression.

9. Puppy love. Most importantly, always love the puppy you brought into your forever-home. As Bo, the First Puppy, I believe that any individual who offers a puppy a home, must always love and respect his furry friend. We puppies depend on you people things to take good care of us in so many ways — but we need and value love the most. We love to share wet, sloppy kisses, walks in the park, and romps on living room floor. We love to hug and nudge you, we love to nuzzle next to you on the sofa, and we love having you as part of our lives. Our love never dies for you, even when our time comes to pass. Never forget to love us and care for us. And when we can no longer lead a healthy, happy life, then it is your responsibility to make that decision for us as well.

*Learn more about how you can get your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today; where 10 percent of all proceeds go to the National Canine Cancer Foundation. If you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Water Dog tidbits…

Portuguese Water Dogs like me (some nice folks refer to me as a “Portie”) have a really long scientific name: “Canis familiaris subsp. aqauticus.” Whew! That’s a long, long, name! The neat thing about Portuguese Water Dogs is that like other herding dogs (German Shepherds, Sheep Dogs, Border Collies, etc.), our dog breed is used to herd a very different kind of animal: fish. Yep — in Portugal, we are taught to help fishermen herd fish into their nets. But we don’t just herd fish, we even act as water mail-dogs that bring items from one ship to another, and even to land.

The neatest part about being Bo, the first puppy and a Portuguese Water Dog is that I’m one of the rarest breeds in the world — that makes me feel really special. Besides that, I don’t shed much so I’m really popular with little girls and boys (and big people things) who have allergies. But before you go out and adopt a forever pet like me, be sure that you have lots and lots of room for me to roam. And like my name implies, I love the water…so a pond or swimming pool would be great for me. I also require some hair maintenance, so a qualified groomer is definitely in order.

On another note…

Because I am Bo, the First Puppy, I have big paw prints to fill. I believe in leaving this world a better place than what it was when I first got here. That’s why I’m so set on helping the National Canine Cancer Foundation in raising awareness and funding for their valuable cause. Too many dogs die needlessly from canine cancer, that’s why it’s so critical that people things get involved by donating desperately-needed funds to help find good treatments and potential cures to dog cancer. I’d like to think that by playing just a small role in donating 10 percent of all sales from my “Bo, the First Puppy Watches” is a fine start to something even greater than myself. I hope you find it in your heart to make a difference as well. Whether you plan to adopt a Portuguese Water Dog like myself, a shelter dog, or just want to donate money or time to the National Canine Cancer Foundation or to a local animal shelter in your area, I’d like to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.

*Learn more about how you can get your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today. And if you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @TheFirstPuppyBo

Bo says, "Have a Heart!"

As a National non-profit corporation, the National Canine Cancer Foundation is committed to eradicating canine cancer. They’re a smart and compassionate group of people things, who provide funding and grants to dog cancer researchers. These researchers work diligently to help find dog cancer treatments, cures, and better cost-effective tests to determine the best approaches to dealing with canine cancer.

Being that I am Bo, the First Puppy, I knew I had to get involved in some small way to help the people things at the National Canine Cancer Foundation to raise money and awareness for what they’re trying to do for us critters. That’s why I’m selling Bo, the First Puppy Watches to signify my support for this great cause. (*Look for the unique pink paws on your collectible watch.) In fact, 10 percent of the profit from the sale of BO THE FIRST PUPPY collectible watches will be donated to the National Canine Cancer Foundation.

This is such an exciting time in my young puppy life! I’m part of something bigger than me, and that is making all the difference. Please, even if you don’t fetch your own collectible Bo the First Puppy watch – Have a heart and send a small donation to help rid the world of canine cancer by going to the National Canine Cancer Foundation’s website at www.wearethecure.org  

When the people things take care of our health with nutritious meals, daily walks, annual checkups, and lots and lots of playtime, puppies can grow into vibrant, healthy adult dogs. Unfortunately, a number of dogs may still end up with cancer. One of the quality organizations that is trying to help cure cancers like lymphoma in dogs is the National Canine Cancer Foundation. These guys are really good people things, who want to help find a cure for different types of cancers in dogs. I give them one big woof for putting together so much effort, time, and money into such a wonderful cause. Canine cancer research is a great way to help sick puppies and dogs fight and hopefully one day, win the battle against cancer.

One of the main reasons why the National Canine Cancer Foundation is able to conduct the research and do the good work that they do for us puppies and dogs is through generous donations of kind and thoughtful people things, who want to help us beat cancer as much as we do. As the first puppy, I know how important it is to raise awareness for the rest of my dog citizens. That’s why I’m hoping that one day soon I’ll be able to work hand-in-hand with the National Canine Cancer Foundation to make a difference in the lives of loving people things and dogs everywhere.

Please part of the solution now, and take a few moments now to give a generous donation to the National Canine Cancer Foundation.  Or click on the logo below to find out more about the National Canine Cancer Foundation today!

*Learn more about how you can get your own exclusive Bo, the First Puppy Watch today. And if you’d like to acquire any other Obama watches or inaugural watches, please look at my website owner’s online watch catalog of exquisitely-crafted timepieces.

Bo, the First Puppy

As some of you may be aware, I’m a Portuguese Water Dog. My breed is known for its agility, swim-ability, and mostly, its amiability!

Though I was already six months old when the First Family adopted me, I am certain that Malia and Sasha are going to take excellent care of me!

I bet you didn’t know it, but I’m not the only first Portuguese Water Dog to be elected as an official pet for a notable political family.

In fact, my breed was also adopted by another famous individual, US Senator Ted Kennedy!

I’ll be posting updates every now and then about my breed and lots of info on all types of dogs, dog care, and oh yeah…puppy training, too!

If you’re not too busy, check out the latest website where I’m featured! There, you can even buy your very own, original and highly-collectible Bo – the First Puppy Watch