As regular readers of our Saturday Adoptable Cutie of the Week Feature know, we have a soft spot in our heart for creatures adopted from shelters. We don’t get spending thousands of dollars on bred dogs when there are so many lovable creatures in need of homes. Heck. Some of them are even pure breeds. So, why buy from puppy mills? But we digress, a GL reader passed along an email going around via FIDO, which is the Prospect Park off-leash owners email list. They think the Obama White House should have a shelter dog. Let’s face it, it would be a very democratic (with a little d) gesture. Here’s the emial:

Date: Thursday, November 6, 2008, 3:38 PM

Pres. Elect Obama has promised his daughters a puppy. Wouldn’t it be nice if this president adopted a Shelter dog? What a simple way to show awareness and concern for American animals sitting in pounds and shelters across this country! In my book, one act of compassion is worth more than a thousand speeches, no matter how poignant. A Shelter pet in the White House would inspire the whole country to remember the the millions of homeless pets waiting out there!

The Obamas are reportedly leaning towards adopting a rescued dog. Let’s encourage them by voting for the Shelter dog via this Chicago Tribune article. Mahatma Gandhi said, “The greatness of a nation can be judged by the way its animals are treated.. I hold that, the more helpless a creature, the more entitled it is to protection by man from the cruelty of man.” Wouldn’t it be nice if Barack Obama seized this opportunity and said to the nation, “We can end the needless suffering caused by pet overpopulation by simple acts of kindness and personal responsibility… Adopt your pet from a Shelter or rescue organization, and remember to spay and neuter. Yes we can!”

First, we will say that our favorite dog was rescued from a shelter and was brought into a loving home and is now showered with attention and affection, even though she is a complete brat. That having been said, good luck to you President-elect Obama. Even the dog thing isn’t simple.