Scrappy Underdog

Barack and Michelle Obama, likely recognizing the patience with which their girls had endured long presidential campaign, as well as the fact that they had to leave their friends and school in Chicago to move into the White House in Washington, D.C., agreed they could have a dog once the new president took office.

During a speech to the nation after the election, President-elect Obama said: “Sasha and Malia, I love you both more than you can imagine, and you have earned the new puppy that’s coming with us to the White House.”

In late February 2009, when Malia was 10 and Sasha 7, Michelle Obama told People magazine that the girls are more eager than ever to welcome a dog into the White House, but that it won’t happen until after spring break, so sometime in April.