InDOGuration celebrates the first White House shelter dog, Major Biden

Dogs have long been known as “man’s best friend”. Studies have shown documented health benefits and increasing happiness hormones for those who spend time with their furry friends. When President Joseph Biden moves into the White House on January 20, 2021 he’ll be bringing his two German Shepherds along for the adventure. One of them, Major, is in for a special surprise. 

Major will be the first shelter dog to ever occupy the White House. This is a monumental and history making moment for all of his furry friends everywhere. To celebrate this occasion, an “InDOGuration” ran live on national television to commemorate the event. NBC’s Today Show host Jill Martin hosted the ceremony for Major on January 17.

Adopted by the Biden’s in 2018 by the DHA, Major joined brother Champ in the home. There were some rumblings when the Biden’s got Champ, since he was adopted from a breeder and not a shelter. When they were looking for another pup to join the pack, they had that in the forefront of their minds. It was actually their daughter Ashley who found Major through a Facebook posting about a litter of German Shepherd puppies at the Delaware Humane Association. 

In an interview with The Washington Post, Delaware dog trainer Mark Tobin said that the soon to be president is “passionate about dogs because he loves them. The soon to be president has shared in many interviews that he always had dogs growing up and even brough one with him to law school in the 1960s. The dog's name? Senator. 

Tobin was responsible for training Champ and getting him ready for life as the second family’s dog. He also facilitated the meet and greet when Major came home as a puppy from DHA. “The meet and greet with Champ was funny, because you could tell Champ is like, ‘Oh, my gosh, this guy’s got way too much energy,’ ” Tobin shared in that same interview. 

A children’s book titled Champ and Major: First Dogs will publish on January 19, 2021. It will follow their friendship and newly anticipated adventures together in the White House. The description on Amazon reads: Champ and Major's dad, Joe Biden, just got a really important job: He's going to be the new president of the United States! Major is going to be one of the first rescue dogs to live in the White House, and Champ can't wait to show his little brother around.

With Major having some big learning to do, hopefully Champ will show him the ropes since he’s a seasoned White House veteran having spent eight years there himself. Reports have also surfaced that the Bidens are considering adding a rescue cat to the mix too. 

One thing’s for sure, come January 20, 2021 - things are about to get a whole lot more lively in the White House. And its' lawn too.