animal welfare/animal rights

There is a woeful lack of understanding out in the general public about the difference between animal welfare and animal rights. Well-meaning people are unfortunately supporting groups that are actually working to undermine the very things in which they believe.
Animal welfare wants to improve the lot of domesticated animals by such actions as outlawing cruel practices with livestock (such as raising veal calves in tiny boxes where they can't turn around), minimizing live animal experimentation as much as possible while acknowledging that some research is necessary and valuable (for instance, dogs suffer many of the same diseases as humans and thus are an excellent research model that benefits both species), halting animal cruelty such as dog fighting and cock fighting.
Animal rights wants to stop any sort of use of animals by humans, including barring you from owning pets. They don't often say this in public, but I have a letter somewhere from the founder of one of the most powerful groups, stating just that goal. So what are you truly supporting when you give one of these groups money? You are helping them force you to get rid of your beloved dog(s), cat(s), or whatever animal companions you may have.
It's not always clear cut, either. Some groups veer back and forth from one side of the dichotomy to the other, holding good positions and doing valuable work on one specific issue while going over the line on another.
I'm not going to name specific groups -- I'll probably get hassled enough just for going this far. But I would urge everyone to fully investigate the goals and practices of any group before offering support. Some of the most extreme groups can actually be classified as domestic terrorists who have bombed offices or universities, freed lab animals (who can no more fend for themselves in the wild than most of us could), and committed other illegal acts. Put your money where your true goals are -- if you want to support canine health or TNR programs for feral cats or stop greyhound racing or whatever, be sure whatever group you choose agrees with your goals and doesn't want to go further than you would want.

The New First Dog

Well, the Obama girls have their dog at last. It was sensible of the Obamas to take some time to settle in first (though I'm sure the girls found it hard to wait). And the tale of their new pup is a pretty karmic one.
He comes from a breeder in Texas, who uses a theme to name her litters, as a lot of breeders do. The litter that was born six months ago was named on a theme of Hope and Change. One of the puppies went to Senator Ted Kenneday (his third current Portuguese Water Dog). One of the puppies went to a home in Washington, DC where they had lost one of their two older Porties. They got the puppy as company for their remaining older dog, but it turned out that the two did not get along. So the puppy was returned to the breeder. Mrs. Ted Kennedy heard about the puppy being bounced back to the owner, through a friend. And knowing that the Obamas were considering a Portugues Water Dog, she mentioned it to her husband. And lo and behold, the puppy who needed a second chance has now become the new First Dog.
His paper name is Amigo's New Hope, and he indeed has some new hope.
The breeder said "Bo," as the girls named him, should be quite the gentleman at the White House. . . until he sees the fountains. They are water dogs born and bred, after all, and he may just find the water too irresistible.
I heard that the Obamas had been in touch with Ken Ramirez, head trainer at the Shedd Aquarium in Chicago, about choosing a dog, and I hope they will stay in touch with him about training for Bo. This is a breed that can do just about anything, and needs to be kept busy both mentally and physically.
Best wishes for a long and happy life together - it seems to be in the stars.