With President-Elect Barack Obama's public promise last night to get his daughters, Malia and Sasha, a new puppy for the White House, there has been quite a bit of speculation (at least in our office) about what kind of dog the new first family should bring to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Presidential dogs have for the most part been pure breeds: Spaniels, Retrievers, Terriers and one ridiculous Bouvier des Flanders (whatever that is). Not since Lyndon B Johnson's famed mongrel Yuki, found at a gas station by first daughter Lucy Johnson, has there been a mutt in the White House, unless you count the one the Carters gave back, poor old Grits.
In the spirit of change and unity in Washington, we fully endorse Teapot, a union of a Beagle (another LBJ fave) and a Spaniel (Bush 41), as First Dog of the United States of America. She is seven months old, slightly inexperienced in administering poop, fired up, ready to go, and can be adopted by the Obamas at Homeless Animals Rescue Team (HART) in Fairfax, Virginia—just a short, heavily-secured limo ride from the nation's capital.