It gives me great pleasure to send my belated, yet heartfelt, congratulations to President-elect Barack Obama on his extraordinary success in the US elections.

Much has been written and spoken about this memorable event over the past few days and yet there is one subject raised on that historic victory night that few have yet touched upon: the announcement of a new puppy for the White House.

This is a subject very close to the heart of my dog Bailey, the bichon frisée, who is famous in his own right as a leading canine commentator in this newspaper. He has summarised the momentous events from a dog’s point-of-view in the following exclusive report:

Before that incredible night, rumours had been rife among the canine community on both sides of the Atlantic. Could it be possible? Could it really be happening in our lifetime?

But then as the events gradually unfolded, culminating in that glorious triumphant speech, it evolved from a remote possibility to an absolute certainty:

YES WE CAN!!

As dogs around the world rejoiced, the reality slowly dawned on us all: for the first time ever in history, a new puppy was to be brought in to the White House.

In the past this auspicious position had always been held — and with great gravitas I must add — by the old and experienced. Who can forget the statesdog-like qualities of ‘Charlie’ the Welsh Terrier so beloved of JFK; of ‘Buddy’ Clinton and more recently ‘Spot’ Bush — each of whom brought dignity and decorum to their role as First Dog?

But here, at last, was the promise of youth, of new ideas and a fresh approach to pet care which would surely affect us all in a great, howling wind of change.

Within minutes of the now-famous ‘Puppy’ speech, leading experts across the world were speculating as to what type of dog would be most appropriate and have the most potential to take on this daunting role. An initial poll conducted within parks, gardens and kennels across the states indicated a huge diversity, with everyone — to a dog — suggesting their own particular breed as being the finest and most suitable.

And so, with such widespread division making a universally-popular decision almost impossible, the President-elect invited me to head up a task-force of experts and advisors.

Although the committee is yet to be finalised, subject to America’s stringent quarantine laws, here is my confirmed line-up for the K9 Summit thus far:

Representing collies and in particular the border collie will be Gin, the dancing dog made famous by Britain’s Got Talent.

On behalf of large breeds is Fang, the Neopolitan mastiff from the Harry Potter movies.

For terriers, and in particular the Jack Russell, is Eddie from the American sitcom Frasier.

Representing toy dogs is Terrence from EastEnders.

Representing the canine gay community is Paul O’Grady’s shitzu cross, Teddy.

Making a case for the working dog is Chance, the former Cruft’s champion who has subsequently made a name for himself in various movie parts as a German shepherd.

Mongrels are being represented by Megan, of origin-unknown, who is my neighbour and promised me a bone if I included her in the line-up.

Royal dogs will be represented by the corgi Holly Windsor of England and the golden labrador Estrie Sarkozy of France.

Of course, all of the above is merely an exercise in international diplomacy.

As chairdog of the think-tank and with the ear of the president already established, my mission is virtually accomplished. I can now confidently predict that the puppy most likely to take office will, of course, be a bichon frisée.

And may God bless America.