2024-04-12 20:44:34
Photo: Twitter outlet
Text: Viviana Díaz
The recent elections in the United States have left more than one surprise: the departure of Donald Trump from the presidency, the projection of Kamala Harris as the first woman and descendant of immigrants to reach the office, and the arrival of a rescued dog at the White House.
With the election of Joe Biden as president, a long tradition of about 100 years of the presence of pets at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue returns, only broken by the current tenant and business magnate.
The “first pets” will be the German shepherds Champ and Major, the latter rescued by the Biden family in 2018 from a dog shelter in Delaware.
Major’s story shows the power of possibility: A shelter dog who once fought for his life will live in the White House in just a few months. Not all animals at the shelter share Major’s fortune. We sincerely hope that his story highlights the importance of animal adoption and inspires the people of this great nation, the Delaware Humane Association mentioned in their networks.
Major is not the first rescue pet to come to the White House. Before there was Yuki, a mixed-breed puppy abandoned at a gas station in Texas and adopted by President Lyndon B. Johnson and his daughter Luci; and Socks, the Clintons’ cat, who was also rescued.
The tradition of having pets in the White House dates back to when Thomas Jefferson kept a nightingale and a pair of bear cubs during his presidency. Then, over the years this custom has continued, turning many of the “first pets” into true celebrities.