A homeless Utah pooch could 'win' the Obamas

There's a new campaign to get a Utahn in the White House — one whose qualifications include a wet nose, a wagging tail and a willingness to become a loyal member of a Democratic administration.

Dozens of dogs, including six from Utah, have been nominated on a new Web site created to convince Democratic presidential candidate Barack Obama that he should adopt a shelter dog for his family rather than purchase a purebred.

Utah's canine candidates include Jeep, a red heeler mix described as "extremely liberal with her kisses," and Angel, a yellow Lab said to be "already imagining herself playing fetch in the Rose Garden."

They appear on obamafamilydog .com, the Utah-based Best Friends Animal Society Web site that includes a petition already signed by more than 27,000 people nationwide urging Obama to rescue a homeless dog.

The American Kennel Association has already offered voters a chance to offer their opinion on the best purebred choice from a list of breeds that includes the poodle, the Chinese crested and the miniature schnauzer.

The interest in what four-legged companion might be headed to Washington comes after Obama's daughters, Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7, told interviewers earlier this month that their parents had promised them their first dog once the presidential election is over.

Obama's Republican opponent, John McCain, reportedly already has a number of pets, including a pair of Yorkshire terriers named Lucy and Desi, and doesn't appear to be in the market for a new canine companion.

Temma Martin of the Utah Animal Adoption Center said Obama has an opportunity to show America the value of shelter dogs.

"What an amazing message that would send to the rest of the country," Martin said. "By adopting, you're saying, 'Look at all these wonderful dogs."'

But Obama may not want to wait until after the November election. Already, one of the Utah dogs posted by Martin to the Best Friends Web site has been adopted. She said that dog, Lucy, wanted to live in the White House, but "a regular house is better than being homeless."

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E-mail: lisa@desnews.com

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