As the election results came rushing in, social media turned into a complete frenzy. Countless users were predicting who would win and how the results would impact our society. Celebrities urged their followers to go out and vote for the state of the country going forward. And once the results became official and Joe Biden secured the presidency, social media did not slow down.
Biden will be entering the White House in January of 2021. And while millions of people are more than excited about his secured role for next year, it seems as though another aspect of his family is capturing the attention of his supporters online. His dogs, Champ and Major, who are newly famous to Twitter, have stolen the hearts of animal lovers nationwide.
Fan account for Biden's dogs goes viral following election https://t.co/iVzRzv3LCz pic.twitter.com/5nHtsFfcpc
— The Hill (@thehill) November 9, 2020
Trump did not have a dog at the White House for the past four years and many, of course, were disappointed by that…amongst other decisions. Lucky for supporters of Biden and Harris, the upcoming president’s two German shepherds will be joining him when Biden moves in next year. Champ, in fact, is familiar with the space as he lived there during Obama’s presidency when Biden was Vice President. However, this will be Major’s first time there and countless social media users are beyond excited to receive some in-house dog content.
https://twitter.com/FirstFamilyDogs/status/1325866803919265794
The Rescue Pup
Major, the younger of the two, will be the first ever rescue dog to live on the property. The Bidens originally fostered Major from the Delaware Humane Association and officially rescued him back in November of 2018.
Many are hoping that the Bidens rescuing Major will have a positive impact on rescue rates increasing in the future. Major Biden is the perfect example of how loving and special every dog is regardless of where they come from.
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Joe Biden's German Shepard, Major, will make history as the first rescue dog to live in the White House. ???? https://t.co/blsuiZLbBg pic.twitter.com/yPLbTVZDvR
— People (@people) November 7, 2020
Ashton VanKoevering, from Harbor Humane Society, said to ABC 13: “We’ve always encouraged people to adopt. Seeing our President-elect adopt, that’s big news for us.”
“People come in with preconceived notions of what a shelter dog is,” said VanKoevering. “We want people to know there’s not that stigma. Our animals are wonderful. You’re taking these dogs that maybe have not come from the best situations, and giving them a second chance at life and a second chance at love.”
https://twitter.com/asthehosptuRNs/status/1325438051095633920
Social media users are also hoping that the Bidens will shine a light on the upsides of rescuing an animal instead of purchasing one from a breeder. Overcrowding at animals shelters has become a very large issue in The United States.
In an official statement posted on Twitter, the “dogs” said: “We are the Bidens’ family puppers and First Dogs Elect(s) of USA. We want to thank you all for your suppawrt by sharing our pawsidential adventures here! Woof! Woof!”
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The photos feature Jill and Joe Biden with their dogs surrounded by two mini Biden-Harris flags.
https://twitter.com/FirstFamilyDogs/status/1325643205480763392
The dogs have gained over 50,000 Twitter followers in just a few days.
The tradition of “first pets” dates back to Thomas Jefferson. Jefferson had a few bear cubs and even a mockingbird during his presidency. And as a result of this tradition, pets in the White House have become public figures and “celebrities” of their own.
After 4 years with NO DOGS in the WH-Welcome Champ & Major Biden! FUN FACTS: tRUMP is the 1st Prez to have NO PETS whatsoever since James K. Polk in 1845-Both were one-term presidents.
Also: In 1797 John Adams had dogs named Juno, Satan & MARK(!) He too, served only one term.???????????? pic.twitter.com/PSZD9Q8bH1— Mark Hamill (@MarkHamill) November 8, 2020
In a 2017 interview with CNN, Ed Lengel, a former chief historian at the White House Historical Association, said: “They (the pets) help create an atmosphere of the White House as a family, a lived-in place and not just a stiff museum, but a place where a family lives and plays and enjoys each other’s company.”
After four years of no dog in the White House, Champ and Major Biden will be moving in. AND Major will be the first ever rescue dog to be first canine! pic.twitter.com/D5JPkBXIMC
— Charlie Haynes (@charliehtweets) November 7, 2020
The History
Trump was the first president in recent decades to not have a dog during his presidency. In fact, he was the first commander-in-chief since the 1800s not to have any sort of pet.
According to Trump’s ex-wife, Ivana, “Donald was not a dog fan.” She explained this and her dog, Chappy’s, disdain for him in her memoir titled, “Raising Trump.”
https://twitter.com/Ifoundmeagain/status/1325453913542316032
After securing the presidency, Biden said, “folks, I ran as a proud Democrat. I will now be an American president. I will work as hard for those who didn’t vote for me — as those who did,” he said. “Let this grim era of demonization in America begin to end — here and now.”
Champ and Major Biden will join the legacy of pets such as Socks Clinton, Barney Bush, Macaroni Kennedy and Rebecca Raccoon Coolidge when they arrive at the White House this January.
