The Obamas want to get a dog. Today CNN ran a feature that the American Kennel Club made a lot of breed recommendations for the Obamas because, as reported on the AKC website:
It's been widely reported that – win or lose – the Obamas have promised their two daughters a dog after the presidential election.
Barack Obama was seen laughing and joking with a reporter on this subject, mulling over what breed to get. It's easy: adopt a dog from a shelter!
More after the fold.
Michelle spoke of this a few months back, saying they discuss this dog "every day":
Let's remind the AKC and the Obamas if they don't know it already, that adopting a dog from a shelter is the Obama family's best bet. Not only will it give a deserving animal a much-needed home and thus help reduce the population of homeless dogs, but it will set a great example for the Obama children.
The AKC, while it hosts prime time dog shows sponsored by pet food makers and is thought by many to be a beneficial organization to dogs everywhere, they are tainted by association to puppy mills, places where dogs often are raised inhumanely and are purchased by people who love them but often lose them to illness.
Best Friends is an amazing organization devoted to animal rights and human responsibility toward animals. They travel the country helping in animal emergencies such as the flooded pets of Oakville, Iowa to the displaced pets of Hurricane Katrina. They maintain shelters, and they do a great deal of good.
And just to help out, look here for a list of Illinois pet shelters! Oh, need one in DC? Check this out!