evidence: The dogs in question are two German Shepherds, Champ and Major. Champ, age 12, was adopted after the 2008 election and is already somewhat familiar with the White House. However, Major, age 2, has captured the hearts of America as not only an adorable little good boy who is so good, but as the first dog adopted from a shelter to live in the White House. [...] Of course, the presence or absence of a family dog has no real effect on a president’s leadership ability or policies (or at least, no effect has yet been proven). However, having a dog certainly doesn’t hurt. As former President Harry Truman once said, "If you want a friend in Washington, get a dog." After a truly hectic and taxing election cycle (and presidency), it is nice to simply appreciate the wholly apolitical story of a dog moving from a shelter to the White House.