The Year in “Ruff”-view
Thursday, January 7th, 2010TFAW welcomes the new year and remembers the last.
1. America elected its first African American president, Barack Obama, who was inaugurated on January 20, 2009.
In April, the first family’s new dog, Bo, a Portuguese Water Dog given to Malia and Sasha by Senator Edward Kennedy, produced so much hype that the pup was all over the web before his official debut (a mysterious site called firstdogcharlie.com was the first to post pics and a Q&A session with the pup).
When the Obamas traveled to Hawaii for their Christmas vacation, they left Bo in Washington due to the 10-hour flight and Hawaii’s strict quarantine policies. Officials did not release the whereabouts of Bo, or who boarded him, but I’m sure the only reason the first family didn’t choose Time for a Walk is because we do not yet service the Foggy Bottom neighborhood. Maybe next year?
2. The recession that began in 2007 and continued into 2009 saw unemployment rates spike in an unstable market.
According to this NPR article, though, as a nation, we increased spending on our pets from $2.2 billion in 2008 to $45.4 billion in 2009 and decreased spending on retail human luxuries. The article attributes this big spending to our changed perceptions of pets, as well as burgeoning pet-care industries, like doggie spas, organic foods, and catalogues with luxury products.
3. American soldiers remain in Iraq and Afghanistan.
They are accompanied by many brave canines.
4. The swine flu epidemic sweeps the world.
In December, a 13-year old mixed breed dog in New York was the first known pet in our nation to contract the virus. After the dog was having breathing problems, his owners took him into the vet, where he was treated and was last known to be “returning to his old self.”
5. The King of Pop dies …
leaving behind a legacy of music and a menagerie of pets.
