Champ, one of US President Joe Biden's dogs, has died.
The presidential family mourned the loss through a statement. “It has been our constant company for the last 13 years. We will always miss him ”, they expressed
The White House announced this Saturday the death of Champ, one of the two dogs of the president of the United States, Joe Biden, and the first lady of the country, Jill.
“We are saddened to report that our beloved German Shepherd Champ has died peacefully at home. He has been our constant companion for the past 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family, ”the presidential family lamented in a statement.
Our family lost our loving companion Champ today. I will miss him. pic.twitter.com/sePqXBIAsE
— President Biden (@POTUS) June 19, 2021
"In our happiest moments and in our most tragic days, he has always been with us, sensitive to every feeling and emotion," he added.
And he concluded: "We love our sweet and good boy, and we will always miss him."
The Biden family has another foster dog, another 3-year-old German Shepherd named Major.
In March, the two dogs were brought to Biden's home in Wilmington, Delaware, following the aggressive behavior of the younger dog. The Bidens adopted Major in 2018 and he became the first dog from an animal shelter to live in the White House.
His other dog, Champ, who died in the last few hours, had a more docile demeanor due to his advanced age.
The US media pointed out that Major's adaptation had been a bit more complicated since, being young, he has more energy and all day he would jump, bark and sometimes be aggressive with the White House security personnel. One of these incidents escalated to a bite.
Both dogs moved into the White House four days after Joe Biden won the presidency.
Champ
Joe Biden promised his wife that he would buy a dog after the 2008 presidential election if Barack Obama succeeded in winning the race. Jill Biden pasted different pictures of dogs on the seats of Biden's field plane for him to see.
She bought the dog when he was a puppy from a Pennsylvania breeder and his granddaughters named him Champ.
Champ's name reminded Biden of the advice his father gave him, who said, "Whenever you get knocked down, Champ, get up!"
Joe Biden has an affinity for German Shepherds, as he trained them in the past. He gave young children Champ's stuffed animals during his vice presidency.
