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Obama hints at first dog arrival

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-04-11 11:03

WASHINGTON – US President Barack Obama seemed to throw a bone Friday to those curious about when the first family will finally get its first pet, broadly hinting that the dog may make its debut on Monday.

US President Barack Obama(2ndL), seen here with his wife Michelle(2ndR), daughters Malia(L) and Sasha, and mother-in-law Marian Robinson, broadly hinted on Friday that the first family might get its first dog on Monday. [Agencies]

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Asked about the timing for the first canine at the end of a meeting with top economic advisers, Obama joked: "That's top secret. This is tightly held."

But, he quickly added, "any of you going to be at the Easter Egg roll? That's big. So we look forward to seeing you on Monday."

Obama had promised his daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, seven, a dog as a reward for their forbearance of the rigors of his presidential campaign.

And First Lady Michelle Obama said in February that the family hoped to find a stray Portuguese Water Dog by April.

The list of breeds in contention was narrowed by Malia's allergy to dogs, making it necessary that the first family pick a breed known for not causing allergic flare-ups.

Presidential pets have long been a focus of intense interest. Every president since Calvin Coolidge, elected in 1923, has had at least one dog in the White House, according to dogsinthenews.com.