http://network.bestfriends.org/obamafamilydog/news/29375.html

I think this is just wonderful and I think it could (hopefully) go a very long way towards encouraging people to consider rescuing instead of buying. I hope in their search for a pet they learn more about puppy mills and work towards reform in that area as well.

Apparently, Joe Biden promised his wife a "big dog" as well. I hope he also adopts.

Oh, how cool!

How great!!!!!

Hopefully this will be a big boost to adoption!

Oohh! I was so hoping that they were planning to adopt when he said they were getting a puppy! This is awesome, hopefully more people will be adopting now.

That's great news I like 'em even more now.

Think maybe Oprah had a hand in this? She's on pretty good terms with the Obama family, and she's recently had HER consciousness raised about dog breedings -- maybe ... ?

Yeah!!

Dunno about Oprah, but I hope it sends out a big message to people .....if the President can adopt a homeless pet, so can the rest of the Americans! Maybe they will name it something really clever!

Oh, how absolutely cool! Thanks for posting that!

OMG! That is SO awesome!!! I got all teary!!! I was just telling Acorn this morning how cool it would be if they adopted, but I wasn't so optimistic for some reason. I really believe this will have a big, big impact!!!

Whooo hoooo! I'm so glad. I was afraid it would be some puppy mill dog - especially hearing Connie talk about some of the pet stores in Chicago. This is great.

Who is Oprah's current trainer of choice? I think she's finally dumped CM, but I can't remember if her new choice is any better. Is it Tmara Geller?

Well dang, he ain't all bad, is he?

Just kidding - ha! It's good to see the First Lady to be, showing responsiveness to the people's wishes.

Their plans for a dog was highlighted again on ET, it showed a clip from early in the campaign where Obama said the kids were told they'd get a dog after the campaign regardless of the outcome. I hope they are conscientious in finding a hypoallergenic dog that is ALSO a rescue. ~~fingers crossed~~

I'm strangely warm and fuzzy at the thought of children and puppies in the White House after all these years since JFK.

I've got one, but they can't have my Fraggle!!!

Being as pretty much *any* rescue would let them adopt (amazing publicity, and donations) nationwide, they should have no problem finding a hypoallergenic rescue dog.

tamar geller is oprah's trainer - i actually like her style as a trainer.

That's such great news!

The story was in our paper today.

I hope they get a mutt! After all, America is a nation of mutts. And get a big one too! Texas Boder Collies come to mind. Ruffysdad

One of the girls, Malia I think, has allergic asthma, so they're going to look for a dog that is less allergenic. The director of PAWS Chicago said today that PAWS will certainly be able to find them a suitable dog.

That's really great news!

I'm surprised they haven't looked into a bichon frise rescue, too.

I'd love to see a standard poodle in the white house! I would love to see a mutt, but if Malia is allergic then it's going to have to be a breed rescue of some kind.

Norwegian elkhounds are also considered hypoallergenic. Bet you guys didn't know that, did you?

But we don't want them to get an elkhound, because too many would then want one and the puppymillers would go nuts.

I was telling the Boy about this, and guess what he said:

"we could adopt Fraggle to them!!!"
"NO!!! She's ours!"
"but then we'd get to meet the Obamas! And we'd only adopt her to them if we got visitation rights."

He's seriously insane sometimes. And no one is allowed to have my Fraggle.

Looks like the AKC is all over it already.
http://www.akc.org/poll/special/presidential.cfm

With the PCA's help, the AKC located potential Poodles for consideration as Obama's new canine cabinet member. Among the eligible candidates:

* AKC Delegate Mary Ellen Fishler of Halcyon/Camelot Miniature Poodles has a 7- week-old litter of Miniature Poodles available in Gaithersburg, MD, just outside of Washington, D.C. Contact: PoodleClubOfAmerica@yahoo.com

* Six-week-old Toy Poodle puppies rescued by Flora's Pet Project/Poodle Rescue Connecticut will be available for new homes in early January. They can be adopted by contacting Marianne Smith, President, Flora's Pet Project at flora@floraspetproject.org. Click here to see a photo of these dogs.

* Rescue dog "Ollie" is a 2 year old Toy Poodle (photo to the right). He is housetrained, neutered, vetted, vaccinated and is on flea, tick and heartworm preventative. Ollie can be adopted by contacting Poodle Club of America Rescue Chair Sally Poindexter at PoodleClubOfAmerica@yahoo.com

Oh my. Panic at the AKC because if a mere mutt makes it into the White House, clearly no one will want purebred dogs anymore.

I'm so glad I don't give them money anymore. Now if only the UKC would have Rally up and running by the time Havana and I are ready...

Wow, update!!! YAY!

From Obama's press conference today (posted at the L.A. Times website):



http://latimesblogs.latimes.com/washington/2008/11/barack-obama-pr.html

Actually, I think the quote is out of context. I saw it live and the implication was that he wasn't sure if they could find a hypo-allergenic breed because they are mutts like him. I still love that he said it.

Those mini poodle rescues sound great.

You know, the hypoallergenic thing? Meh. I've got seven indoor dogs and exactly one is in any way allergy friendly. I dust and vacuum once a day. With a GIANT vacuum. I don't have carpets. I wash all the bedding frequently and have dust mite slipcovers on anything I can't throw in the wash (exception, our couch - dream: to own leather living room furniture).

We have FOUR people in the house with allergies and asthma. We have a rough time during pollen season, but we could alleviate that if we could run our central air during that time, and had a really good air cleaner. I bet the Obamas could afford that. I'd contribute to that cause, if the money isn't there. If we all gave a penny . . .

I can totally see a cute little terrier mutt - a Quigley! Or a sweet all-American Yellow Dog like my Magster - you've heard of Yellow Dog Democrats? That would be kind of funny.

But anyway, presumably the dog would have plenty of people to clean up after him or her.

I saw the funniest post on another board. I want to see whether I can get permission to cross post.

Found a video of that part of the discussion.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4uHn6ydl6TM

"We have two criteria that have to be reconciled. One is that Malia is allergic, so it has to be hypoallergenic. There are a number of breeds that are hypoallergenic, on the other hand, our preference would be to get a shelter dog, but obviously a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me, so whether we are going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household."

To me that means they don't know if they can find a dog of a "hypoallergenic" breed at a shelter, not that hypoallergenic dogs are mutts. But then I'm not sure if I understood your comment correctly there.

Per recent e-mails from Best Friends, they have also volunteered their expertise to help find a rescue/shelter dog who meets their criteria and needs.

That's what I meant. I forgot the 'at a shelter' after my post.

It's was an exhausting but exciting week. Looking forward to actually getting some sleep this weekend.

Ah. They don't realize there's such a thing as breed rescue, and imagine that shelters only have medium-sized lab mixes.

You know what would rock? I wish they would get a pibble. Seriously. Perfect placement - great trainer, kids' dog, and most likely an only dog. And they are not horrible shedding dog. I mean, do they not have air cleaners and people who vacuum at 1600 Penn Ave?