CultureTop StoryUS

Bidens welcome cat named Willow to White House

Bidens

With all the seriousness taking place in the world, with tensions growing over the pandemic and a possible invasion in Ukraine, it is still nice to see a human-interest story, especially one pertaining to President Biden, the leader of the free world, and nothing is more human than peoples love for their pets.  The new edition to the White House is a cat named Willow, who joins Commander, a German shepherd puppy the Bidens introduced in December as a birthday gift from his brother James Biden and his wife, Sara. As reported by the AP:

Dr. Biden named Willow after her hometown of Willow Grove, and there was an immediate bond between the first lady and her new feline companion

WASHINGTON (AP) — President Joe Biden and first lady Jill, have finally added the long-promised cat to their pet family.

FILE – President Joe Biden, First Lady Jill Biden and family, walk in front of the White House during a Presidential Escort to the White House, on Jan. 20, 2021 in Washington. (Doug Mills/The New York Times via AP, Pool, File)

Her name is Willow, and she’s a 2-year-old, green-eyed, gray, and white farm cat from Pennsylvania.

“Willow is settling into the White House with her favorite toys, treats, and plenty of room to smell and explore,” said Michael LaRosa, the first lady’s spokesperson.

Jill Biden had said after Joe Biden was elected in November 2020 that they would bring a kitty to the White House, but her arrival had been delayed. Last month, the White House said the cat would come in January.

The first lady named Willow after her hometown of Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.

FILE – President Joe Biden kisses first lady Jill Biden before boarding Marine One to visit wounded troops at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center, on the South Lawn of the White House, on Jan. 29, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

The short-haired tabby made quite an impression on The First Lady after jumping up on stage and interrupting her remarks during a 2020 campaign stop in Pennsylvania, LaRosa said.

“Seeing their immediate bond, the owner of the farm knew that Willow belonged with Dr. Biden,” he said.

The White House hasn’t had a feline resident since India, President George W. Bush’s cat.

Willow joins Commander, a German shepherd puppy The President introduced in December as a birthday gift from the president’s brother James Biden and his wife, Sara.

The Bidens had two other German shepherds, Champ and Major, at the White House before Commander.

FILE – President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden walk to board Marine One for his first international trip as President, on June 9, 2021, in Washington. (AP Photo/Evan Vucci, File)

But Major, a 3-year-old rescue dog, started behaving aggressively after he arrived in January 2021, including a pair of biting incidents. The White House had said Major was still adjusting to his new home, and he was sent back to the Bidens’ Delaware home for training.

The Bidens, after consulting with dog trainers, animal behaviorists and veterinarians, decided to follow the experts’ collective recommendation and send Major to live in a quieter environment with family friends, LaRosa said last month.

Champ died in June at age 13.

By DARLENE SUPERVILLE

For more U.S. culture news

Previous Article
Lunar New Year travel for Chinese despite plea to stay put
Next Article
Omicron still surges as cases plateauing in parts of India

How useful was this article?

Click on a star to rate it!

Average rating 0 / 5. Vote count: 0

No votes so far! Be the first to rate this article.

Latest News

Menu