JOE BIDEN’S beloved German Shepherd, Champ, has died aged 13.
The sad news of his passing was confirmed in a statement from the US President and First Lady Jill Biden, who described Champ as their "sweet, good boy."
“Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family,” they said.
One of two first pets residing at the White House, Champ previously lived with the Bidens at One Observatory Circle in Washington DC during Biden’s time as vice-president to Barack Obama.
In the statement, the Bidens paid tribute to Champ as a constant source of comfort and companionship during the last year.
“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,” they said.
“Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us.
“He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden.”
They recalled how Champ, in his younger days, was “happiest chasing golf balls on the front lawn of the Naval Observatory or racing to catch our grandchildren as they ran around our backyard in Delaware.”
“In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion. We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always.”
RIP to our sweet, good boy, Champ. We will miss you always. pic.twitter.com/63hXXp8W9P
— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) June 19, 2021
Biden purchased Champ as a three-month-old puppy from a breeder in Pennsylvania back in 2008. In doing so, he fulfilled a promise to Jill Biden to get a dog once the 2008 election was over.
Back in 2018, Champ was joined by Major, also German Shepherd, from a the D
They adopted Major, also a German Shepherd, from the Delaware Humane Association (DHA) in November 2018, after fostering him for eight months.
Both dogs were temporarily sent to a home in Delaware after Major was involved in a biting incident, but eventually returned to the White House.
