In heartening news for beloved rescue animals all over the world, the White House has welcomed its first-ever shelter dog!
Major, a 2-year-old German Shepherd who used to call the Delaware Humane Association home, and Champ, a senior dog, recently joined newly-elected U.S. President Joe Biden at the White House.
Several years after purchasing Champ the Bidens adopted Major in 2018. Animal lovers eagerly praised both dogs’ arrival at the White House following Major’s virtual “indoguration,” courtesy of the shelter the couple adopted him from.
Biden began campaigning for a First Dog during his own bid for the presidency.
“Some Americans celebrate #NationalCatDay, some celebrate #NationalDogDay,” he tweeted in October 2019. “It’s time we put a pet back in the White House.”
Major “shows the real possibilities for what could happen for all the great dogs who need homes out there,” Delaware Humane Association executive director Patrick Carroll told the New York Times.
The former vice president spent more than an hour at the shelter the day he adopted Major, despite being extraordinarily busy, Carroll recalled.
Guys, Major Biden is a big dog. He is not THAT big. The first photo is just a photoshopped good boy. This has been one hairy fact check to start your week off! pic.twitter.com/VVKFcz78qh
— Jane C. Timm (@janestreet) November 9, 2020
While past presidential dogs have been widely celebrated — including George W. Bush’s furry friend, Barney, and Barack Obama’s Portuguese water dog, Bo — Major marks a significant milestone that hopefully convinces the nation that shelter dogs need love too.
Awww what a lovely story!!! I’m glad we have good, animal-loving people back in the White House!
Make it stop!
This is awesome news for shelter dogs everywhere 🐶🐕🐾❤💚.
This is such a wonderful man to take a pet from the shelter. It shows such good qualities in this man.
I am so happy we have him as president.
Thank you Joe, you will enjoy your new addition and he will enjoy your family.
This act of kindness shown towards the homeless pets, and the decision to bring one of them to the White House as a resident to live with them, truly made my day. Thank you Mr. Biden for choosing an orphan to be a part of your family. THANK YOU.
What a great man this president is. If you have compassion, pity and love for animals, there could no better president.