Jill and Joe Biden's dog Champ has sadly passed away.
The First Lady paid a heartfelt tribute to her "beautiful, good boy" on Twitter after the beloved dog died "peacefully at home."
78-year-old Joe Biden and 70-year-old Jill Biden announced the death of their German Shepherd Champions. “Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beautiful German Shepherd, Champ, died away quietly at home,” Jill's Twitter statement began on Saturday, June 19. “During the last 13 years, he was our constant, treasured companion and was adored by the entire Biden family.”
The dependable friend was frequently pictured with the first lady and president, having first joined the Biden family in 2008, following Barack Obama‘s historic election victory. Joe bought the puppy from a breeder in Pennsylvania and asked his granddaughter to give him a suitable name. The President has previously said that the dog's name reminded him of some advice he received from his late father: "Anytime you get knocked down, champ, get up!" The first dog-the champion and the major-arrived at the White House from Delaware on Sunday.
— ABC News (@ABC) January 25, 2021
The two German shepherds are the first pets to live at the executive mansion since the Obama administration. https://t.co/imJ5jzdi7a pic.twitter.com/JXChPJQBXF
Champ's cause of death is unknown, however German Shepherds typically live between nine and thirteen years. “Even as Champ's strength decreased in his final months, he would promptly pull himself up, tail constantly wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or belly rub,” they said. “He wanted to be wherever we were, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us,” they continued. Jill and Joe then discussed Champ's favorite hobbies since arriving into the White House in January. “He liked nothing more than cuddling up at our feet at the end of the day in front of a fire, joining us as a soothing presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House Garden,” they recollected. Champ, along with his rescue brother Major, could be heard barking outside when Joe signed an executive order eliminating a ban on transgender people serving in the military back in January.
RIP to our sweet, good boy, Champ. We will miss you always. pic.twitter.com/63hXXp8W9P
— Jill Biden (@FLOTUS) June 19, 2021
“He was happiest in his younger days 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,” they wrote. “He was there with us in our most joyful times as well as our most bereaved days, sensitive to our every unsaid feeling and emotion. “We adore our wonderful, good child and shall mourn him forever,” Jill and Joe said at the end of their heartfelt eulogy.