Dear President Elect Obama and First Lady Mrs. Obama...

I am so happy for your daughters that you have agreed to afford them a puppy when you move into your new home. Taking into consideration President Elect Obama's requirement to avoid "sissy dogs," I would like to recommend that you select an English bulldog for several reasons. I will list a few below:

1) English bulldogs are definitely NOT "sissy dogs." I have two English bulldogs, who have Great Dane neighbors. I don't know if you are familiar with the size of Great Danes, but trust me, they are the size of a small pony. Some dogs peer through fences. Great Danes simply look over the top. My English bulldogs go "toe to toe" at that fence with dogs about five times their height. They are definitely not "sissy dogs."

2) English bulldogs are healers. You can check out my website at www.drjoyceswineheart.com and read an article that was published in one of our local newspapers about Maxwell, my male English bulldog. It is entitled "The Healer." This means that your bulldog will be there for you during those most trying days. When the rest of your family is sleeping, he (or she) will be there patiently waiting for you to unwind form the day's events. English bulldogs are very sensitive, and can tune in to your emotions.

3) English bulldogs can keep up with your daughters' energy levels. Whoever said English bulldogs are lethargic have never seen them around children. They absolutely adore kids of all ages. My dogs, Maxwell and Lilly, are so excited when children come to visit us.

4) English bulldogs will greet and welcome all of your guests. In other words, they will make all of those diplomats and foreign leaders feel right at home. They will even be willing to sit by the table while they eat, adoringly look at all of them and be forever grateful for any "offerings." This is good, because it means if some of your guests don't like what is being served, there is an English bulldog available who will be more than happy to help them discreetly pass their food under the table. You will never find one morsel on the floor, so housekeeping staff will love the bulldogs.

5) You will also be glad to know that you don't have to worry about buying doggies beds or where to put them, because the English bulldogs will sleep with you. They like people beds. I guarantee you they will also want to sleep on your pillow, so you should buy an extra pillow for the bed (one for each bulldog.) I know you have only promised one dog, but English bulldogs are best when they come in pairs.

6) A word of caution...you will have to be careful what you discuss in front of them. They understand English. They don't speak it yet (probably will in their next doggie life) but they certainly understand most words and short sentences. We actually spell words in our house to keep them from knowing our discussions. They especially understand "treats," "do you need a Benadryl?", "we are going bye bye", "go find daddy," "it's bedtime," and numerous other phrases. Think not? I'll bet you 1/10th of the money going to rescue the money market that you will agree they understand English phrases. Within a few weeks in the White House, they will understand words like "darn Republicans," "where's the kids?" "where's Michelle," (they will lead you right to her) and "give me some privacy." Big problem...they will lead people right to your hiding place. Keep in mind you can buy their "silence" any day with a treat.

7) Speaking of treats, you will have to train your chefs to not feed the bulldogs, or you will have SPCA after you for over feeding. They never say no to food.

Seriously, you just have to give bulldogs a chance to live in the White House. They are such a dignified breed that offers your family intense love, loyalty, laughter, and the press will love them. They love to travel. They love motorhoming, boating down the Colorado river and even riding dune buggies in the California deserts. Our bulldogs even love NASCAR. Can you just imagine your bulldogs' love for riding on Air Force One?

Respectfully....

Sol's Challenges....

Sol is a friend of mine. She has worked for me since 1997, and during that time we have become friends. Her given name is Soledad, and like her name, she is a bright and shining member of society. Sol's life has not been easy. She was raised on a ranch in Mexico. After her father died, one of her siblings took control of their assets, including the ranch. Sol ended up without her inheritance. She married, and her husband was an alcoholic. After several years, he left her. She lived in Mexico and raised her children by herself. Sol's living situation was not good. Later in life, her mother developed Alzheimer's. Sol took care of her without any help from her siblings. The disease affected her mother so badly that Sol would have to tie her to herself to keep her mother from getting seriously hurt. Sol could not even take a shower without someone watching her mother. Before her own mother's disease progressed, Sol took care of my mother in my home following Mother's stroke. She was always so patient and loving. She called my mother "Grandma," and Mother absolutely loved Sol. I made a vow then to make sure Sol has income as long as I have income. She was such a blessing to our family when we needed one so badly.

When her mother's illness worsened, Sol had to leave us and take care of her in Mexico. Her mother passed away in 2000, the same year my mother passed away. We cried together.

Sol's son was killed this year in a car accident in Arizona. He was her only son, and she was very proud of his accomplishments. He was an entertainer. She was devastated. She brought many photos and newspaper stories surrounding his accident and her loss. I saw a little bit of Sol leave too when he died. Her family told me Sol was having a very hard time accepting the death of her son. Yet, she continued to work because she had grandchildren to feed. Her son in law left her daughter with no income and three kids.

Someone stole all of the contents of Sol's house this year when she was in San Diego taking care of her nephew's mother. We loaded up as much as we could into her car of items from my house that we no longer need.

This week when Sol arrived at work, I knew something was wrong the minute I saw her face. Sol's niece was killed in Tiajuana last weekend. Her niece's baby who was one year old was shot twice in the forehead and once in the back of the head. The father of the baby was injured. The baby was flown to Children's Hospital here in San Diego, and is in critical condition. The family were innocent victims traveling through town in their car when a drug cartel battle broke loose in the city. Just another day for the cartel but tragically, another challenge for Sol, which will impact her life forever. She is questioning why so many losses. Her faith is strong. She says, "My niece is up there with my God," as she points towards the heavens. The baby's dad is in the hospital, and the grandparents are staying by the side of the baby. If the baby lives, it will never walk again. It is blind and deaf. One minute before the gunfire, the baby was a happy, healthy one year old. Sol cries as she talks about the baby's injuries and she tells me we need to be careful and take care with Carson, our little one year old granddaughter. In spite of her loss, she offers love and concern for our little one and our family. I believe her parents must have known when they named her Soledad that she would be bringing sunshine into the lives of others. The bible addresses the blessings in store for the long suffering. Sol is long suffering. God bless her....my friend.