a letter from the future president

This story kind of warms your heart... An eight-year-old girl, Karina Encarnacion of Kirkwood, Missouri, wrote a letter to Barack Obama recommending what kind of dog the president-elect should get for his daughters, and in turn received a reply with "three bits of advice that will make your life more fulfilling": Pinay girl writes to Obama, gets response.

As everyone watching last Tuesday night's victory speech knows, Obama promised his two daughters, 10-year-old Malia and 7-year-old Sasha, that they could have a dog when they move into the White House.

Karina sent Obama a two-page handwritten letter suggesting a Coton de Tulear, a small Bichon-type dog, which her family owns. She noted that "they do not shed, they are very lovable, small and very soft." All very compelling reasons to consider when choosing a canine companion.

She also expressed support for Obama's candidacy, offering a few suggestions: "Would it be possible for you to make a law that requires everyone to recycle... And would it be possible to ban unnecessary wars?"

But the awesome part came when Karina received a surprise reply from Obama, with some very sound advice for her as well: "Look out for other people, even when it does not directly benefit you; strive to make a difference everywhere you go; and get back up every time you are knocked down."

Obama's letter, which included an autographed picture that Karina requested, ask her to be a good citizen—not just of America, but of the world: "I hope you will always be an active participant in the world around you, and that you will seize every opportunity to make the world better." This, my friends, is the kind of president we need.