Canine connection

Family’s generous gesture prompts White House reply

By LINDA M. LINONIS

Vindicator Staff Writer

When Tina and Tony Fleisher’s toy poodle Diamond Louise gave birth to two puppies in mid-December 2008, the Youngstown couple wanted to give the doggone bundles of joy to Sasha and Malia Obama, daughters of President Barack Obama.

“I wrote the Obamas about them and sent them a photo,” Tina Fleisher said.

She said the family’s black toy poodle, Diamond Louise, and white toy poodle, Jamie Foxx, produced two white female pups. Tina Fleisher said the dogs were such a joy to her family that she wanted to share that with the Obamas.

At that time, the Obamas’ search for a canine to add to their family was in the news. In April, the Obamas got Bo, a Portuguese water dog, a gift from the owner of three of the breed, Sen. Ted Kennedy, who died Aug. 25.

Though the Obamas didn’t adopt the Fleishers’ puppies, they sent a letter from the White House along with a photo of Bo.

“I plan to frame the letter and photo,” Tina Fleisher said, noting the letter arrived Saturday. “It’s truly a gift.”

Tina Fleisher said the letter from Michelle Obama said “a furry, four-legged friend name Bo” was the Obamas’ canine companion. The letter makes note of the “rich history of White House pets” and said that the Obamas wanted to participate in that tradition. The letter also said that “having a pet is a family responsibility” and that the family was sharing in dog ownership.

Tina Fleisher said she has had her pets about two years. Though the puppies didn’t get to go to Washington, D.C., they went to a nice home in Pennsylvania. And there won’t be other litters as the Fleishers have had Jamie Foxx neutered, and Diamond Louise is scheduled to be spayed.

She and her husband are pastors of Vision Outreach Ministries, based at their home, 345 S. Hazelwood Ave. She said the faith-based ministry works with youths and especially concentrates on mentoring children with talent in the performing-arts realm.

The Fleishers’ family includes five sons and two daughters, ranging in age from 12 to 20 years old. Tina Fleisher said her 12-yer-old daughter, Cleopatra Butler, helped in the puppy delivery. “She was awesome.”

Tina Fleisher said the family had gotten advice on the delivery from the breeder of their dogs.