"Search Google" Best Friends Animal Society, the animal welfare organization that operates a huge sanctuary in Utah, has added its two-cents to the conversation on the dog Barack Obama has promised to get his family after the election.

If Obama is "all about change," the society says, "he should adopt a dog from a shelter."

So strongly does Best Friends feel about this -- that the maybe-soon-to-be first family should adopt from a shelter or rescue group -- that it has launched this Web site to spread the word.

The obamafamilydog.com web site gives people a chance to sign a petition that urges the Obamas to adopt a mixed breed rescue dog -- a recommendation in direct contrast to the American Kennel Club’s purebred-only suggestions for the Obamas.

The Pekingese or Peke, Pekinese (Also commonly referred to as a "Lion Dog") is an ancient breed of toy dog, originating in China. They were the favored pet of the Chinese Imperial court, and the name relates to the city of Beijing where the Forbidden City resides. The breed has several characteristics and health issues related to its unique appearance.

These dogs are also called Dogs of Foo (or Fu, word for happy in Chinese) by the Chinese, and how much they are revered can be seen in the number of Chinese artworks depicting them. They were considered a guardian spirit as they resembled Chinese lions








Many other dogs were inducted into the canine Walk of Fame including Toto from The Wizard of Oz, and Fang from the Harry Potter films.

Caroline Kisko of the Kennel Club in London stated "Dogs play a very important role in our lives, through their companionship, unconditional love and rewarding relationship they give us. It is fantastic to see that this is felt the worl dover through the recognition given by the film industry, and the number of these films that are box office hits prove how much love the public have for dogs in general."

Between 1930 and 1955, the 'character' of "Rin Tin Tin" (though not all the original dog) was heard in three different radio series, beginning April 5, 1930 with The Wonder Dog, in which Rin Tin Tin did his own sound effects until his death in 1932 when Rin Tin Tin, Jr. took over. This 15-minute program was broadcast Saturdays on the Blue Network at 8:15 p.m. until March 1931 when it moved to Thursdays at 8:15 p.m. In September 1930, the title changed from The Wonder Dog to Rin Tin Tin. Don Ameche and Junior McLain starred in the series, which ended June 8, 1933. With Ken-L-Ration as a sponsor, the series continued on CBS from October 5, 1933 until May 20, 1934, airing Sundays at 7:45 p.m.

The character of Lassie was created by British-American author Eric Knight in the short story "Lassie Come-Home" published in the Saturday Evening Post in 1938 and as the novel, "Lassie Come-Home," in 1940.

Snoopy


Snoopy is an extroverted beagle with a Walter Mitty complex. He is a virtuoso at every endeavor- at least in his daydreams atop his doghouse. He regards his master, Charlie Brown, as "that round-headed kid" who brings him his supper dish. He is fearless though prudently cautious about "the cat next door." He never speaks- that would be one human trait too many- but he manages to convey everything necessary in facial expressions and thought balloons.

Fido - The Lincolns’ Dog
It was a common sight in Springfield to see Abraham Lincoln walking to the local market with Fido trailing behind carrying a parcel in his mouth. Fido was a floppy-eared, rough-coated, yellowish dog of uncertain ancestry. His date of birth was unknown although 1855 would be a good guess. Mr. Lincoln would sometimes stop at Billy the Barber's for a haircut, and Fido would wait outside with the other customers' pets. Fido was the type of dog who loved attention and would spend countless minutes chasing his own tail. Mr. Lincoln was elected president of the United States on November 6, 1860. When it neared time to move from Springfield, Illinois, to Washington, D.C., he decided not to take Fido. He worried the dog would not survive the long train ride to the nation's capital. Additionally, Mr. Lincoln had noticed that the clanging church bells and loud cannons, which had announced his presidential nomination, had terrified Fido.By all accounts Mr. Lincoln's son, Tad, protested. Nevertheless, Mr. Lincoln wouldn't be swayed and looked for a good home for Fido. Finally, the president-elect decided to give Fido to two neighbor boys, John and Frank Roll. They promised to take good care of Fido during Mr. Lincoln's term in the White House. The boys' father, John Eddy Roll, was a carpenter who had helped the Lincolns remodel their house.The Roll family was asked never to scold Fido for entering the house with muddy paws. He was not to be tied up alone in the backyard. Additionally, Fido was to be allowed into the Roll home whenever he scratched at the front door and into the Rolls' dining room at mealtimes. Fido was used to being given food by everyone sitting around the table. To make Fido feel at home, the Lincolns gave the Rolls their horsehair sofa. Shortly before the Lincolns left for the White House, they took Fido to F.W. Ingmire's studio in Springfield to have his picture taken (see below). Mr. Ingmire draped a piece of fancy material over a washstand and placed Fido on top. Willie and Tad watched the proceedings but did not get into the pictures. Reassuring news regarding Fido came from Illinois late in 1863. On December 27, 1863, the president’s Springfield barber, William Florville, wrote the Lincolns a letter saying, “Tell Taddy that his (and Willys) Dog is alive and Kicking doing well he stays mostly at John E. Rolls with his Boys who are about the size now that Tad & Willy were when they left for Washington.” After the tragic assassination in 1865, hundreds of out-of-town visitors, in Springfield for the funeral, crowded around the Lincoln home. Old Bob, Mr. Lincoln's horse which had also been left behind in Springfield, was brought back to the martyred president's residence. In the funeral procession on May 4, Old Bob, wearing a mourning blanket with silver fringe, walked immediately after the hearse. Also, on this tragic occasion, John Roll brought Fido back to his original home to meet the mourners that were there. Fido passed away less than a year after Mr. Lincoln was assassinated.

Lyndon Johnson thought he was just doing the White House photographers a favor when he pulled his beagles’ ears above their heads. But some people took Johnson’s playing as pooch abuse. He fared better with a later dog, Yuki, with whom he liked to howl.

Fala (April 7, 1940 – April 5, 1952) was a famous Scottish Terrier, the beloved dog of U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt. One of the most famous presidential pets, Fala captured the attention of the public in the United States and followed Roosevelt everywhere, becoming part of Roosevelt's public image. Given to the Roosevelts by a cousin, Fala knew how to perform tricks; his White House antics were widely covered in the media and often referenced both by Roosevelt and his wife, Eleanor Roosevelt. Fala survived Roosevelt by seven years and was buried alongside him. A statue of him alongside Roosevelt is prominently featured in Washington, D.C.