Forget the donkey and the elephant… the Canine Party is heading to Washington D.C. in January 2009!
When Barack Obama was on the campaign trail, he promised his daughters a dog. (Win or lose, even!) The First Dog might be a shelter dog, if the Best Friends Network and supporters have their way. But he or she won’t be the only pup hanging around the Oval Office!
Vice President-elect Joe Biden picked out the Vice Dog this month: a male German shepherd puppy from a Maryland breeder. The dog was Biden’s campaign trail inspiration — his wife, Jill, taped pictures of dogs to the back of the seats on the plane Biden used for travel. How cute is that? I’d be inspired to win if I had been promised a puppy, for sure!
Biden picked this particular breed in part because he’s owned shepherds in the past. I may be biased, but I think they’re great dogs. My mom had a shepherd when I was very little, and my dog Moose is a shepherd mix. They’re loyal and loving and generally thought of as intelligent and obedient. (Moose isn’t necessarily the brightest dog out there, but he’s loving and loyal indeed!)
The three month old puppy is going off to training school until after the inauguration in January. This way, the dog won’t have to go through the upheaval of two moves — one from the breeder’s to Biden’s home and one to Washington when Obama takes office. I have mixed feelings on this decision. On the one hand, it will be less stressful for the little guy. On the other hand, the Bidens are missing out on valuable bonding time with their new dog. Puppy days are all too short!
Senator Biden’s granddaughters will get to name the little guy. I can’t wait to see what they pick out! He’s absolutely adorable — visit the Chester County Daily Local to see some pictures.
I hope the First Dog and the Vice Dog get a chance to meet and play, maybe on the lawn at the White House! Can’t you just imagine them, romping after balls thrown by the Secret Service guys?