There have been some "extreme" presidential pets in our country's history. John Quincy Adams let his pet alligator stroll the White House lawn and kept silkworms. Calvin Coolidge owned a pygmy hippo, lion cubs, a wallaby, an antelope, a donkey and a bear.

There were traditional presidential pets too. Who can forget the first George Bush's Millie, the springer spaniel who had her own book, or Fala, FDR's Scottish terrier who was his constant companion?

Don't you think every president should have at least one pet? When the president and the first lady board the helicopter to Camp David, don't you expect them to be walking their dog in front of the TV cameras?

John McCain has 24 pets (including four dogs), so he's all set if he becomes president.

The Obamas have no pets. Their two daughters have begged for a dog and will get one (win or lose) after the election, says Michelle Obama.

The American Kennel Club has launched a contest to help the Obamas choose a potential "first" dog. One of the Obama daughters has allergies, so the AKC has picked five breeds that may be suitable for them: miniature schnauzer, Chinese crested, poodle, bichon frise and the wheaton terrier.

I hope the Obamas will visit animal shelters and adopt their dog from there. It would give a boost to these shelters, which are having an extremely hard time financially since the economy has worsened.

Animal lover Leslie Kawamoto has been with the Advertiser for 18 years, or 126 in dog years. Check out her blog at www.HonoluluAdvertiser.com/Blogs.