Vinings puppy rockets to fame

By Sandra Eckstein

StaffFor the AJC

Tina Hunsicker of Vinings had been looking for a family dog for several months.

She researched breeds and talked to breeders before making her decision. Then, because she'd chosen a fairly obscure breed, she had to go all the way to Canada to find a litter being born over the winter. In fact, the litter was born Jan. 16 —- just four days before Barack Obama's inauguration. That's why she named her new puppy Barack.

When the 8-week-old, 8-pound ball of fluff arrived on a Continental Airlines flight the second week of March, very few people knew what it was.

"They'd say 'Is that a poodle? Is it a Labradoodle?" Hunsicker said.

But all that changed the weekend of April 11, when word leaked out that President Obama had selected a Portuguese water dog for his daughters' pet.

Suddenly, everyone knew what breed Hunsicker's dog was. The young dog is a dead ringer for first dog Bo.

"When the pictures came out and Bo looked just like Obie, I was just flooded with calls," Hunsicker said. "People couldn't believe I had the same dog, and its name is Obama."

The Obama family's choice threw the breed a little more into the spotlight than she wanted, however.

"Every dog on my street is a Lab or a golden [retriever]," Hunsicker said. "I wanted something different. But everyone sure knows what he is now."

PAWfest

This large, pet-friendly event includes demonstrations, vendors, children's activities, food, contests, silent auctions, low-cost rabies shots and microchipping, adoptable pets and a PAW parade. Benefits the Gwinnett Humane Society. 10 a.m.-4 p.m. May 9. Free. Rhodes Jordan Park, 100 E. Crogan St., Lawrenceville. 770-798-7711, Ext. 7; www.gwinnetthumane .com.

Punk for pups

Punk legend Jayne County is performing May 8, with proceeds benefiting PAWS Atlanta. 8 p.m. at Manuel's Tavern, 602 North Highland, Atlanta. $15. Info: myspace.com/libertineusa or 770-593-1155.

Kennel Caper and rabies clinic

A local DJ will spend the night in a cage to raise money for the Humane Society of Hall County. The event starts at 8 a.m. Saturday and ends at 3 p.m. May 10, at the Gainesville Wal-Mart, 400 Shallowford Road N.W. They hope to raise $12,721. Rabies shots $10 Saturday; 8:30 a.m.-noon. Food, raffle items and other events also scheduled. Info: www .humanesocietyhallcounty .com or 770-532-6617.

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