Dogs all over the country were shocked when they read about this in their newspapers. For many of them, it was not good news.
For example, Fido, a New York cocker spaniel, said, "It shouldn't be assumed that we all want to go to college." He had several other points to add: the Scholastic Aptitude Tests required for college admission are a drag; filling out a lot of applications and writing college admission essays -- well, that's no picnic either; finally, textbooks are expensive and carrying them around isn't easy for a dog.
Bo, the While House dog (he's a Portuguese Water dog) agreed. He was heard barking to doggie friends: "No way will I let the Obamas force me to go to college. It's bad enough that I have to perform on the White House lawn for the press corps, but that's it." He also indicated that he would be hard to fit for a cap and gown, come graduation time. And keeping the academic cap on his head would be near to impossible.
An animal rights group, siding with the pooches, issued a strongly worded statement, which said, in part: "College attendance for dogs should be on a strictly voluntary basis. When will humans understand? It's a dog's life, for Pete's sake!"
