[San Jose Mercury News]

Along with picking his Cabinet, finding just the right people for his
White House staff and deciding what to do about two wars,
President-elect Barack Obama has one other decision to make: Which dog
to get for daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.

In a way, the Obamas already have done the heavy lifting on that one.

After announcing they planned to buy a dog as a reward for their
daughters being such good sports about the grueling campaign, animal
rights and animal welfare groups started campaigns of their own — for
the Obamas to adopt a shelter dog and not buy a dog from a breeder.

PETA's president sent them a letter. Best Friends Animal Society
launched a petition drive on the Web site www.obamafamilydog.com that
collected 50,000 signatures in just two weeks. The Humane Society of
the United States made an appeal.

The American Kennel Club, the registry for pure bred dogs, supported
the First Couple-elect's initial decision to buy a dog from a breeder.
More than 42,000 Americans voted in AKC's poll to determine the right
breed of dog. The winner: the poodle, chosen from five hypoallergenic
breeds so as not to irritate Malia and Sasha Obama's allergies.
...
"We are very pleased to hear that President-elect Obama has decided to
adopt a puppy from an animal shelter," said Jon Cicirelli, deputy
director of the San Jose Animal Care Center. "Our residents can follow
his lead and ask themselves if they, too, can make a difference in the
life of a homeless animal. We say, YES YOU CAN!"

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full story:
http://www.mercurynews.com/valley/ci_10908907