The Winnipeg Humane Society has a solution to solve one of the first major dilemmas faced by U.S. President Barack Obama.
The shelter is offering a cute and cuddly Labradoodle puppy to the commander-in-chief and the First Family.
Immediately after winning the election, Obama announced that he would finally be getting a puppy for his daughters Malia and Sasha.
Soon after, it was revealed that the family would adopt a dog from a shelter, and that they were hoping to find a so-called Labradoodle -- a cross between a Labrador and a Poodle -- to join their family.
Bill McDonald, of the Winnipeg Humane Society, realized right away that he might be able to help.
The Humane Society had helped police bust an illegal puppy mill in the city, and had seized 21 Labradoodle puppies and two pregnant females.
One of those females, Lilly, has now given birth to a litter of 11 "health, vibrant and rambunctious" puppies.
McDonald thinks one of those puppies would make a perfect addition to the White House. They are now five weeks old and will be ready for adoption in mid-February.
"The idea came to me early last week when it was first announced that the new president would make his first official state visit to Canada," he told CTV's Canada AM.
"And I thought well, when a new president comes, Canada always gives a gift on behalf of the people of Canada...and the stars sort of aligned."
He sent the suggestion to the Prime Minister's Office, and was then informed it had been forwarded on to the office of Foreign Affairs Minister Lawrence Cannon.
It's certain that Obama has received many offers from American shelters, but accepting the Canadian offer could turn out to be the most diplomatic option, McDonald suggested.
"Maybe not to offend a particular American shelter, be it in Oregon or Maine or Tennessee, he could say 'Well, I have to accept a gift from our close friends, brothers, cousins and our neighbours to the north.'"
Whether or not the offer is accepted, McDonald said the publicity surrounding Obama's decision to adopt a dog from a shelter "has raised awareness that shelter anuimals make great pets."
