We ailurophiles (cat lovers) in America have cause to rejoice. Once again, there is a cat in the White House and our country is in good paws.
The Bidens arrived at the White House with two German Shepherds and a promise of a cat to come. Their older dog, Champ, made a good adjustment, but Major, their three-year-old rescue, couldn’t resist nipping at the Secret Service Agents.
Being responsible pet owners, the Bidens had to address this problem before introducing another animal into the family. Major was sent back to Delaware for more training and a quieter environment.
Unfortunately, days after his reintroduction to White House living, Major had another biting incident. After consulting veterinarians, animal trainers and animal behaviorists, the Bidens decided to give Major to family friends who could give their boy a more sedate lifestyle. This left 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue petless, as their beloved thirteen-year-old, Champ, had died in June.
This past December, a new First Dog arrived. He’s a three-month-old German Shepherd puppy named Commander. Hopes are high that he will grow up thinking the White House is a normal environment and the Secret Service people aren’t invaders.
At last, the time was right for a cat, and, according to Jill Biden, one “was waiting in the wings”. Named after the First Lady’s hometown of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania, Willow is a two-year-old, gray, shorthair tabby. The two met in 2020 at a campaign stop at a Pennsylvania farm. The cat jumped up onto the stage and both decided they were a good pair. Willow was obviously ready for a career in politics.
The First Cat took up residence last week, and according to a White House news release, “Willow is settling into the White House with her favorite toys, treats and plenty of room to smell and explore.”
The President and First Lady no doubt are aware that their puppy and cat might get higher marks in the polls than they will. Being animal lovers, I’m guessing they can handle it. The same could not be said for #45.
P.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt also had a German Shepherd named Major, an ex-police dog. He, too, could not adjust to the White House. In 1933, Major bit both U.S. Senator Hattie Caraway and the Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, Ramsay MacDonald. Major almost ripped off the seat of the Prime Minister’s pants. A pair of replacement pants had to be found before he could exit the executive residence. Major was banished to the Roosevelts’ Hyde Park home.
