One of President-elect Obama's first acts is something we can all get behind:
Along with picking his Cabinet, finding just the right people for his White House staff and deciding what to do about two wars, President-elect Barack Obama has one other decision to make: which dog to get for daughters Malia, 10, and Sasha, 7.
In a way, the Obamas already have done the heavy lifting on that one.
After announcing they planned to buy a dog as a reward for their daughters being such good sports about the grueling campaign, animal rights and animal welfare groups started campaigns of their own — for the Obamas to adopt a shelter dog and not buy a dog from a breeder.
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Then the news broke on "Entertainment Tonight" a little over a month ago: Michelle Obama announced the family would, indeed, adopt a rescue dog.
There are millions of dogs and cats awaiting their fates in shelters -- going to a home or to sleep? This is one of those "setting an example" acts that can inspire others to do good. My words of advice for Obama (the first of many!) is not to pick out a dog but to take the girls to a shelter and have them walk around until a dog picks them. I took that advice from a friend before getting my cats, and it worked out great.
It's time we had kids and dogs in the White House again, but we should prepare for the stories to get too cute by half.
