On June 19, 2021, the Biden family announced the passing of their dog, Champ, who’d been with the family since 2008. “Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home,” President Joe Biden and Dr. Jill Biden said in a statement (via CNN).
“He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.”
“He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden,” they continued. “In his younger days, he was happiest 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.”
Saying Goodbye To The First Dog Of The United States
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In a separate Instagram post, First Lady Jill Biden also stated that Champ “passed away peacefully” at their Wilmington, DE home.
“Even as Champ’s strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub,” she wrote in the caption, accompanying a photo of Champ lounging in the grass.
“Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us.”
“In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion,” she concluded. “We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always.”
All of us at DogTime offer condolences to the Biden family and anyone who has dealt with the grief of losing a beloved family dog.
Have you ever lost a dog like Champ who meant a lot to you? What are some good ways to honor the memory of a dog who passed away? Let us know in the comments below.
