a mutt for the white house

What's more American than a mutt? A creature, like me, who is of mixed origin. I can rattle off at least 5 different ethnicities that are in my family history. I'd like to think that gives me some kind of genetic advantage.

I'm not putting down the purebreed. But here's why mutts are so great. They're usually really interesting looking and don't have crazy genetic disorders. Like, an albeit adorable, brachycephalic French Bulldog or a German Shepherd with hip dysplasia.

Plus, you're probably not going to find a mutt at a breeder. Mutts are the ones who need to be rescued from the shelter, often from an untimely death. Inspired by a recent movement, I think it's time for the White House to adopt a mutt instead of getting a purebreed puppy.


Read Shepard Fairey's take on Obama's potential decision to adopt a mutt for the White House...

A MUTT LIKE ME

The day Obama stated his interest in adopting a dog from the shelter was a slightly brighter one for the approximately 7 million adoptable dogs & cats killed each year in this country. The staggering reality is that for each one sold at a pet store or by a breeder, another perfectly worthy one is killed. Our nations shelters are filled to capacity with all kinds of amazing adoptable animals including, as Obama put it, “Mutts like me.”

On the heels of Obama’s comment, I got a call from Pia Salk, an animal advocate who works with North America’s largest non-profit pet adoption website, Adopt-a-Pet.com. Pia simply asked if I might be willing to collaborate on a way to have my art help these animals.
As most of you know, I’m a big believer in speaking up for all who suffer injustice, regardless of gender, race, sexual orientation or in this case, species! And I’m all for adopting from the shelter. My wife and I share our home with 2 pooches, George and Weezie, who is a rescue. They are the happy canine siblings to our 2 human daughters.

The image I created for this print reminds me of a dog I had as kid, a mutt named Honey.
We have created a limited edition run of 400 signed and numbered silk-screen prints that will be available at: www.muttslikeme.com. The January sale date will be announced soon and proceeds will go to getting the furry non-partisan U.S. residents, who share our country, saved and into homes through: www.Adoptapet.com

Check out the site and search for adoptable animals in your area or other ways to help.

-Shepard Fairey

content also available at supereco