When President-elect Barack Obama said in his victory speech he would make good on his promise that if he won he would get his daughters a puppy, Scott Dodd envisioned the hapa, Hawaii-born senator picking up a poi dog from Hawaii.

“;A poi dog is considered a mix,”; said Dodd, a Hawaii Island Humane Society board member. “;It seemed appropriate.”;

In his first news conference since the election, Obama elaborated on the doggie dilemma his family is facing, saying daughter Malia has allergies but they still hope to find an animal from a shelter.

“;Obviously, a lot of shelter dogs are mutts like me,”; said Obama, in an apparent self-deprecating reference to his mixed-race heritage. “;So whether we're going to be able to balance those two things, I think, is a pressing issue on the Obama household.”;

Dodd is excited about the first family adopting a pet from an animal shelter because it might encourage others to do the same.

“;A lot of them are strays, abused, hurt, injured or starving and they come into a family and they can succeed,”; said Dodd. “;It's a symbol of hope just like he is.”;

Dodd, who owns a poi dog with floppy ears named Radar, said the Humane Society of the United States also was encouraged by Obama's plans to adopt a puppy.

At least 200 dogs are available for adoption on the Big Island, and more are waiting for homes at other shelters here. Most of them are mixed breeds.

Unfortunately, there is really no such thing as an allergy-free furry animal, doctors say. Dogs, cats and other critters all shed some skin cells. And proteins found in their saliva or urine also can trigger allergic reactions in people.

Still, the American Kennel Club says there is a good selection of low-allergy dogs. And they don't have to be hairless or tiny. Poodles, for example, are considered a good choice for people with allergies. So are several terriers. And Portuguese water dogs.

Dodd said the shelter usually avoids suggesting particular dogs and instead talks with a family to see which dog makes the best match.

He suggested the Obamas walk around the shelter and find one that “;tugs at their heart strings.”;

“;They'll know,”; he said. “;They'll know when they find the right one.”;

Kalihi resident Eric Akiyama supported the Obamas adopting a new puppy. He watched his two dogs strolling at the Moanalua Dog Park yesterday, including one that he adopted from a shelter seven years ago.

“;It's kind of nice to get a dog that somebody gave up and give them a second chance,”; he said.