New addition to the future first family?

Now that the pesky election is behind us, it is time to focus on what really matters.

What kind of dog will the Obamas have in the White House?

As I wrote yesterday, the president-elect said in his victory speech Tuesday he would make good on his promise to his two daughters to get them a dog.

Everyone is now weighing in on the matter.

I think he should get a pit bull and name it Sarah, but that ain't gonna happen.

The Mercury News said the Obamas will get a shelter dog, but USA Today said they will consider getting a rescue. You can see the articles via the links provided.

The Chicago Sun-Times said the American Kennel Club is coming up with various pure bred suggestions, focusing on hairless breeds like the Chinese Crested, which would be good for daughter Malia Obama, who has asthma.

And some newspapers are soliciting suggestions for the first family-elect, like the San Francisco Chronicle. One reader said the dog should be named Maverick. Ha.

Personally, I think the right thing — which would send the right message — is for the Obama's to take their time and explore getting a pooch from a rescue group that deals with hypo-allergenic breeds — pure and mixed.

I can't imagine them being able to go to shelter after shelter looking for the right dog; the demands on all of them are just beginning and will only get worse through Jan. 20. Working with a rescue group would enable the right match to be made and would avoid puppy mills.

Good luck to the Obamas. That will be one really lucky puppy.