By Linda Goldston
Mercury News
San Jose Mercury News
Article Launched:11/05/2008 05:23:12 PM PST
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 purebred 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's allergies.
Then the news broke on "Entertainment Tonight" a little over a month ago: Michelle Obama announced the family would, indeed, adopt a rescue dog. The Obama campaign did not return a phone call Wednesday regarding the first pet, but Obama confirmed in his acceptance speech that his girls would get their dog.
The first family-elect has millions of shelter dogs to choose from. Between 6 million and 8 million dogs and cats end up in shelters every year; about half of them have to be euthanized, according to the Humane Society of the United States.
"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!' "
Contact Linda Goldston at lgoldston@mercurynews.com or (408) 920-5862.
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I am holding him to this! He gets major points with me if he adopts rather than buys.
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- animalia_libero
- added this
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class. thats pure class.
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Adopt don't shop. I expect this kind of behavior from this family. They're good people.
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The Obama family is making all the sacrifices upon themselves. We elected a great President along with a family that exemplifies ethical American qualities.
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Obama listened to a letter from PETA??
This is truly extraordinary.-
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- logicpocket
- 1 year ago
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Well it was PETA and best friends network. Best Friends is less radical and more of a dog/cat org than anything else from what I understand.
I think pet adoption is an easy issue for people to grasp... much more so than other animal issues.
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- animalia_libero
- 1 year ago
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This is great! Maybe they will adopt a special needs dog; that would be really really excellent.
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That's such a great example to set. I think shelter animals make some of the best pets.
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they should get a pit bull. (no lipstick jokes)
that would really make a difference in how people perceive and react to how something looks apart from how they behave, ya think? pit bulls are so loving.
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- pressrecord
- 1 year ago
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But will the dog have a legit birth certificate.. .?
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- wiredbirds
- 1 year ago
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Yea! I love the Obamas more and more each day.
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Can we please democratically elect the President's dog? You know how much Americans love to vote for things...
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- Oni_Kagura
- 1 year ago
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Stop puppy mills!
This is good, hopefully this encourages more people to adopt oppose to buy a new one.
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- fauxsherrrr
- 1 year ago
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Hooray! I'm so happy to hear this. I got my dog from a shelter and she's the best dog evar!
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- fountaingoats
- 1 year ago
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very cool obamas
- I just adopted a kitty from sf local's shelter♥love her. -
My dog's reaction to this news. Pound pups are the best!
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Textbook move.
I saw this coming from a mile away. Congrats to the Obama's. Adopted/Rescued pets remain loyal to a good owner.
It's really a great feeling to know that you played a part in the rescuing and rehabilitation in an animal.
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although pets aren't as serious of an issue as both wars, the economy, or prop. 8, it's nice to know that our president-elect is actually listening to people. :D
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- understatedgypsy
- 1 year ago
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Fabulous, simply fabulous. Why not get 2 dogs, one for each child?
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All my kids are from rescue and every one is wonderful.
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- animalia_libero
- 1 year ago
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I LOVE THIS FAMILY!!!!!
And, its OUR First Family. I'm so proud to be an American!
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such an awesome team the Obama family.....they should get a golden retriever puppy.
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I hate dogs.
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Really cool - I'm glad a puppy without a home will now get the White House.
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- InformedTexan
- 1 year ago
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Wow! Very conscious... no puppy mills
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This sounds like a Disney movie. Scrappy, down-on-his-luck dog goes from dog pound to Oval Office.
Maybe he'll befriend some clever mice and stop the plot to ruin the world they uncover!
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- Armageddon_Now
- 1 year ago
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