The White House announced on Saturday that Champ, the 13-year-old German Shepherd cared for by Joe and Jill Biden, has passed away.
“He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years,” a message from the President and First Lady said. “Even as Champ’s strength waned in his last months,” they noted, “when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub.”
A younger dog, Major, will continue to bring canine companionship to the White House. Earlier in the year Major was sent away for a little remedial obedience training (there was, indeed, some dirty business) but returned in late April. The Bidens have made overtures toward adopting a cat, but it hasn’t happened yet. (Winston the cat belongs to Biden’s granddaughter Naomi, so he is not technically a White House pet, even if he is the greatest.)
Sadly, it was only a little over one month ago that Barack and Michelle Obama said goodbye to a previous presidential pet, the Portuguese water dog Bo.
Maybe Major and Bo are running for office together in doggie heaven, advocating for chew toys for all.
— What Is Naomi Osaka’s Job, Really?
— Did Paying a Ransom for a Stolen Magritte Painting Inadvertently Fund Terrorism?
— Y.A. Author A.S. King Lost Her Child. Now She Hopes to Save Others
— First Comes the Pandemic Divorce, Then the “Tits Out” Summer
— After the BBC Apology, How Should We Think About That Bombshell Princess Diana Interview?— A Shipwreck, a Montauk Mystery, and the Class Divide That Still Defines the Hamptons
— The High Stakes of William and Kate’s Scotland Visit
— The Best Swimsuits, Just in Time for Summer
— From the Archive: Queen Elizabeth’s Most Loyal Subjects
— Sign up for the Royal Watch newsletter to receive all the chatter from Kensington Palace and beyond.