The media is in a big hubbub over the new “First Pup”. President-elect Barak Obama promised his two young daughters a puppy if they made it to the White House. (Rumors say the girls would get their puppy no matter what the outcome of the election.) Now all of America is waiting to see what kid of dog they’re going to choose.
While polls and surveys are being taken all over the country regarding what the Obamas’ new dog should be, only the soon-to-be First Family can make the ultimate decision about the “First Pup”. That doesn’t stop America from giving their opinions however, and the majority shows that they want to see the Obama family take a pure-bred poodle to the White House.
While the public opinion may be steering one way and the Obama family opened options for names of the new dog, the public are not the ones to choose the pooch- nor should they be. Bringing a dog into the family is a very personal decision, one that each family must make on their own, including the Obamas.
However, for the Obamas, there are other things to take into consideration when choosing their dog. First, they must have something hypoallergenic because of their oldest daughter, Malia and her allergies. Additionally, they have expressed a desire to take a rescue dog. The real trick may lie in finding a mix of both of these needs.
The PAWS Chicago Adoption Center, however, said they would be able to meet both of these needs with a designer puppy that meets Malia’s allergic needs and also a rescue dog that needs a loving home. In fact, another organization says they have a lovely rescue Goldendoodle in mind already that they would love to see go to the First Family.
Ten-year-old Malia has said that she’d like to have a goldendoodle, a golden retriever/poodle mix that is growing more popular. The Goldendoodle isn’t yet recognized as an official breed (even though we believe it should be) and if this is their choice for the “First Pup”, it will be the first time since Jimmy Carter that a non-purebred dog was in the White House.
Twenty-two of all forty-three presidents have owned pure-bred dogs so if the Obamas go with a rescue dog or a Goldendoodle, they may likely be one of the few First Families to have a non-purebred dog.
Whatever new dog the Obamas choose, we agree with Mr. Obama when he says those girls have earned it. We hope the family is happy with whatever choice they make and that they find a suitable new member of the family to join them in the White House.
