April 10, 2009 2:10 PM

From Nicotine-Addicted Rams To Tiger Cubs: Mo Rocca Talks About White House Pets

By
Michelle Levi
Topics
Washington Unplugged
(AP Photo)
With the highly anticipated announcement of the Obama's puppy arrival on the horizon, presidential pets are in the spotlight. Did you know that a drunk with a broken bottle killed President Lincoln's dog after his assassination? Or that Teddy Roosevelt had thirty-six pets in the White House?

CBS News' Sunday Morning funny man Mo Rocca does. And he talks about it on CBSNews.com's 'Washington Unplugged.' He wrote a book called 'All The President's Pets' which is a walk through the legacy of First Pets from snakes and badgers to nicotine-addicted rams .

Rocca has his own suggestion for the first family's pet – not a dog but a vicuna, which is an obscure relative of the aplaca.

"I was kind of hoping that Obama would go out of the box and make like one of our pre-World War II presidents and get a different kind of pet," the comedian said. "I was pushing for a vicuna. Everybody remembers Dwight Eisenhower's Chief of Staff Sherman Adams and the scandal over the gift of a vicuna coat from a lobbyist and that really tarred the name of the vicuna for a long time."

He also introduced the acronym "PWD" into common vernacular as an alternative to Portugese Water Dog, one of the two breeds the Obamas are considering.

Watch the hilarious interview:


Add a Comment
by iam4honesty April 12, 2009 1:50 PM EDT
I think it says a lot about this president that he did not adopt a dog from the shelter.

Pretty good indication that he isn't so interested in helping the common mutt in troubleand prefers to associate with the pampered breeds.

Which explains why Wall Street CEOs will get help from him and not you.
Posted by spiritwalk


You wingnuts are a constant and never ending source of entertainment. LMAO!!
Reply to this comment
by andie52 April 12, 2009 9:36 AM EDT
This particular puppy/dog was retuned to the breeder. I would want to know why.

Contrary to what some breeders claim, the Portuguese Water Dog is NOT a good choice for people with allergies. They definitely shed, though some of the shed hair gets caught in the long coat rather than ending up on your floor.

A Portuguese Water Dog may not be right for you..

If you don't want to deal with...

Vigorous exercise requirements
Rowdiness and exuberant jumping, especially when young
Destructiveness when bored or not exercised enough
Strong-willed mind of his own, requiring a confident owner who can take charge
Regular brushing and clipping
Mouthiness -- carrying and chewing objects, mouthing your hands
A high price tag
Serious health problems


http://www.yourpurebredpuppy.com/reviews/portuguesewaterdogs.html
Reply to this comment
by liselle3 April 11, 2009 10:33 AM EDT
spiritwalk
Aren't you aware that the kids have allergies - hence the water dog? I don't think it says anything other than they want a dog that will be least likely to cause allergic reactions....
Reply to this comment
by spiritwalk April 11, 2009 9:08 AM EDT
I think it says a lot about this president that he did not adopt a dog from the shelter.

Pretty good indication that he isn't so interested in helping the common mutt in troubleand prefers to associate with the pampered breeds.

Which explains why Wall Street CEOs will get help from him and not you.
Reply to this comment
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