7 7

Major, Champ Biden about to make the White House warm, furry again

Tribune ConTenT AgenCy

Of the more than 500 million Americans who’ve ever lived, fewer than four dozen have ascended to the presidency.

It’s hard to relate to a group that exclusive. But pets that dig up the Rose Garden, chew tassled loafers in the West Wing, and have accidents under the Resolute Desk are the great equalizer: There are more Americans who live with animal friends – around 66%, studies show – than those who don’t.

“Pets humanize presidential figures who seem remote,” said Andrew Hager, historian-in-residence at the Presidential Pet Museum, formerly in Williamsburg, Va., now awaiting a new home. “Seeing the most powerful person in the free world romping on the floor with a dog looks so much more like you or I – a very different image than a person in a suit behind a podium.”

When he moves into the White House in January, the already avuncular President-elect Joe Biden will morph into Romperin-Chief, cavorting with two German shepherds, 12-year-old Champ and nearly 3-year-old Major, who will become the first shelter animal to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. Biden and his grandchildren picked out Major at the no-kill Delaware Humane Association in Wilmington in 2018.

For the last four years, the White House has been a kibble-free zone. Although President Donald Trump has been accused of emitting racist-rousing dog whistles, he hasn’t owned an actual dog.

“Donald was not a dog fan,” wrote the outgoing president’s first wife, Ivana, in her memoir, “Raising Trump.” “And Chappy (her poodle) had an equal dislike of Donald.”

Trump is believed to be the only president other than James Polk (in office from 1845 to 1849) not to have a pet, Hager said, adding, “Even the impeached, sad,

Week

From Page A3

cials said in the statement. “Please bring a valid photo identification.”

For Capitol Corridor updates, visit www.capitolcorridor.org/news-alerts. White House, President offered comment. Franklin D. Roosevelt Ultimately, dogs allow nevertheless pampered any human to seem more his Scottish terrier Fala, likable, said Mary Rautkis, formally named Murray social-work professor at the the Outlaw at Falahill. University of Pittsburgh Nearly as famous as FDR and an expert on how pets himself, Fala slept in the make people healthier. “A president’s bed and could person who owns dogs is not be fed by anyone but connectable. Dogs give him. A bronze sculpture of people social capital, and the Scottie – the only pres- a trustworthiness.” idential pet honored with Along with making a statue – sits in the FDR presidents seem comMemorial in Washington. passionate, playful, and Lyndon Johnson kept understanding, pets can a terrier mix named Yuki serve the very practical that his daughter found purpose of reducing stress, at a gas station. Richard said Aubrey Fine, a ClareNixon clung to his poodle mont, Calif., psychologist Vicky the night before he who has conducted 47 years Win McNamee/Getty Images/TNS file (2012) resigned. Barack Obama of research on human-anithen-Vice President Joe Biden’s dog, Champ, lays down during speeches during a Joining Forces service event at the Vice President’s residence at the naval observatory in Washington, D.C., May 10, 2012. played often with his Portuguese water dogs, including Bo, known for making appearances on TV shows mal interactions. “When people turn to animals, cortisol levels reduce,” Fine said. racist, drunk Andrew choice, Biden ventured in tial cats. John F. Kennedy such as Late Night With “When you pet an animal, Johnson fed flour to mice “alone on a random Sunday, kept one, but his severe Jimmy Fallon and Ellen. you just relax.” friends he kept.” like anyone else,” to adopt allergies forced him to One can already And, he said, the pres-

In 2017, Trump the dog, Topel said. “He give the animal away. Bill imagine the future chil- ident-elect’s psyche will reportedly said he was ended up staying an hour Clinton owned the famous dren’s books “written” by be further assuaged by “embarrassed” by the talking to everyone about domestic short-hair Socks. the Bidens’ barking duo in animal lovers who’ll cats, snake, and rabbit ( dogs he had growing up.” Teddy Roosevelt, who the tradition of past White adore him for choosing a Marlon Bundo, subject Biden also spoke about collected maybe two dozen House pet-authors and shelter animal. of two children’s books) Champ, purchased from a animals on the White essayists such as Millie, “Dogs in shelter are living with Vice President Pennsylvania breeder. House grounds, had a Barbara Bush’s English lives worth saving,” Fine Mike Pence and his family. Champ was a nick- horse that someone helped springer spaniel. Beyond said. “That’s a great comThe Atlantic reported that name Biden’s father had ride an elevator up to the that, there will doubt- mentary on Mr. Biden.” the menagerie inspired conferred on him growing residence’s second floor. less be endless Instagram Though the presidentTrump to label the Pences up. Major could well be During World War pooch-posts and photo ops elect has overcome tragedy “low-class” and “yokels.” named after Biden’s late I, Woodrow Wilson dis- with German Chancel- and travail to reach his

“Animals are so against son, Beau, a major in the patched his gardening lor Angela Merkel picking lofty post, Topel of the the Trump Fifth Avenue Delaware National Guard, staff to the European bat- canine hair off her skirt. Delaware Humane Assobrand,” said Hager, who Topel speculated. tlefront and replaced them One would-be presi- ciation reminds us of the credits Trump for being “We can’t wait to see with a flock of sheep to trim dent, Mitt Romney, is a true star of this Wilming“self-aware enough” to photos of Major when the White House lawn. He dog lover but drew the ton-to- White House tale. realize it’s best he avoid he’s in the White House,” also owned a ram that ire of pet owners every- “Major’s is a truly ragsbonding with all creatures, Topel said. The animal ate reporters’ cigar butts where after they learned to-riches story from the great and small. In Feb- already starred in Insta- and became addicted to he’d once strapped a dog perspective of a shelter ruary 2019, the famously gram videos during the chewing tobacco. carrier containing his dog,” she said. “I hope this germaphobic president presidential campaign, Calvin Coolidge had a Irish setter Seamus to the will inspire people to do said his getting a pet “feels assuring us that Biden had pet raccoon, Rebecca, that roof rack of his Chevrolet shelter adoption.” a little phony.” “no ruff days on the trail.” tore women’s stockings; station wagon. Fine agreed: “Like

For Biden, a longtime Drunkard and other pets Herbert Hoover possessed Some have opined, shelter dogs, we all need pet lover, it seems natural. The fascination Amer- two alligators. semi-seriously, that a second chance. And

Major was one of six icans will have with Though First Lady Roofgate could have con- for all of us, presidents puppies brought to the the Biden dogs is easy Eleanor Roosevelt had a tributed to Romney’s loss or not, animals are good Delaware shelter after to predict. We’ve long horror of animals in the to Obama. Seamus never for our souls.” being exposed to “some- obsessed on animals close thing toxic,” said Cory to our presidents. Topel, the facility’s mar- George Washington, keting manager, who did who had a dog named not specify the substance. Drunkard, hankered for

“We worked with better fox hounds to aid a local veterinarian his hunts, so he crossed emergency center for French fox hounds gifted life-giving medical care,” to him by his Revolutionshe said. That story was ary War ally the Marquis shared on social media, de Lafayette and created where Biden’s daugh- the breed of Ameri- Celebrate a Traditional ter, Ashley, read it and alerted the family. After Biden and the grandchildren made their can fox hounds we know today, Hager said. Abraham Lincoln enjoyed the first presidenThanksgiving Solano gov’ts take break for holiday Like us! Day Feast On The Patio

The usually scheduled Check out photos, 12pm to 5pm government meetings for stories, community the week will not take place because of the Thanksgiving holiday. Regularly scheduled meetings will return in December. Facebook.com/ dailyrepublic events on Facebook: Featuring Traditional Oven Roasted Turkey Breast Grilled Pit Ham Steak Black Angus Prime Rib Grilled King Salmon Kids Menu will be Available

RETIREMENT SALE!

“Thank you all for being part of my Sportabout family for 37 years...” Tom Steinman, Owner FINAL DAYS MON., NOV. 23RD – SAT., NOV. 28TH 30-70% OFF EVERYTHING!

Reservations Highly Recommended Call (707) 425-1700

(We will be closed the day after Thanksgiving)

700 Main Street, Suite 104 Suisun City CA www.castirongrillandbar.com