Biden's Puppy: A Post-Election Gift From Jill (PHOTOS)

UPDATE 12/30: Joe Biden's granddaughters have named his German Shepherd puppy "Champ."

At every rally on the campaign trail, Vice President-elect Joe Biden concluded his speeches with the inspirational words of his father.

"Any time you get knocked down, champ, get up!" Biden recalled his father telling him as a young boy.

Clearly the refrain resonated with Biden's granddaughters.

**Scroll down for photo**
From The Chester County Daily Local News:

It seems President-elect Barack Obama's children were not the only ones promised a dog after the presidential election. Biden's wife, Jill, made the same assurance to her husband if he and Obama, his running mate, won the election.

Jill Biden had taped pictures of different dogs on the back of the seat in front of Biden on his campaign plane to inspire the candidate as he crisscrossed the country in the final sprint to election day, according to published reports during the campaign.

Saturday, Biden selected a three-month-old male German shepherd from one of Brown's litters, a puppy that will turn out to be a "big boy," Brown said with a chuckle.

"He is the nicest person on this earth," Brown said about her meeting with Biden, the Democratic senator from Delaware, now getting ready to take over the office of vice president.

....Biden's granddaughters will name the puppy, Brown said the vice president-elect told her.

The statement from Biden's office, according to Us Weekly: "The Vice President-elect previously owned three other German Shepherds so he's familiar with the breed and its personality."

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And these photos of the dog from the Daily Local News:

Comments

[AnimalRescuer]

Its just too bad he didn't have the foresite to research this breeder to discover it is infact a puppy mill...I am so disappointed I can't even express.

[obamanation31]

what a fantastic name! fits him like a glove.

[The Lorax]

Totally agree. And I love the pics! :)

[amazingdays]

Kids have such great instincts. I don't think a grown-up would ever think of translating the speech line "Get up, champ!" to a dog name, but it is perfect. For many of us, the line from Biden's father was about getting up and fighting, but for them, it was clearly a family story about his dad! Excellent work by the Biden grand-daughters.

[chickenpieeggs]

OW WEE KA ZOW WEE!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bljKRGZwNPQ&feature=channel_page

[whit4brains]

I hope the Biden's enjoy Champ very much.

And to all of you going on about buying a puppy from a breeder can kiss my a.s.s.! I bought my puppy, a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel, from a reputable breeder because I wanted this breed of dog. It was my CHOICE to make just as it was the Biden's CHOICE to make. If you don't agree then go to the shelter and adopt a dog when you want one. When I got my puppy I did a lot of research and I wanted a certain type of dog and I couldn't be happier with the breed. I will most likely get more of this breed in my future and will seek a reputable breeder to find one. They are such great dogs that there are very few even available in rescues.

I'm not some h.ate.ful person either, I donate money to many animal charities (ALDF, ASPCA, and the Humane Society of the US) and love all animals. I spay/neuter all of my pets. I have never gotten an animal and then given it up to a shelter. For me, getting an animal is a life-long commitment. I have gotten 3 different cats from a shelter, one who was 5 years old when I got her. And I am s.ick of feeling like I did something wrong because I got the puppy I wanted, She's the love of my life.
www.myspace.com/preciousjujibean

[luvobama]

I bought my Maltese from a reputable breeder as well. I do not apologize for that decision. Certain breeds cannot be found easily at rescues or shelters. I did try the Maltese rescue, but they want ed 250.00 for a blind 10 year old dog. By the way, my dog is the love of our life too. Spoiled rotten. Enjoy your dog. That's what really counts. Oh, all of our other pets have been rescues.

[KarenT]

I am almost finished reading Biden's memoir. What a kind, intelligent, thoughtful, loving man. And Jill is so cool. They are an amazing couple.

Obama and Biden will make a great team.

[PoliticalAmazon]

For people who are thinking of getting an animal, and CHOOSE to go the adoption from a shelter route, consider an older pet.

We just adopted a 2-year old male cat, recently neutred, and who weighs over 18 pounds.

I had never adopted a mature animal before, and it has been a wonderful experience. With a baby animal, it kind of grows up suited to you, your concerns, and your lifestyle. When you adopt an older animal, it already has it's own gig going.

All I can say is it must be like adopted a toddler. We just sit back and watch for what new thing (new for us) he will do. No bad habits (except scratching furniture and jumping on the kitchen counter, both of which he has learned not to do); just funny things he does.

[GeorgeP922]

Also I must as add, as far as cats go the SPCA is not only a wonderful organization but an efficient one.

You will save ALOT of money getting a cat from the SPCA than say buying it or resuing off the street, and then fixing and getting shots for.

Last I remember the SPCA charged 75$.

With Maryland Subsidy for Spay/Neuter I would guess it would cost 150-300$ to get a cat fully shot up with boosters and doctor inspections.

And please folks, do what you can to stop underground breeding. If you can convince your friends not to vote republican, you can convince them to get their pets fixed.
Check with your local shelters, here in Maryland the state subsidises spay/neuter. Here you just go to the local SPCA and give them 25$, they give you a certificate and list of Vets that participate with the Maryland subsidy.
At prices that low, people have no excuse.

(And if they say they like the "aesthetics" of their dogs junk, they sell something called neuticals, silicone you know what. But lie to them and tell them neuaticals you have to wait 6 months after the neuter)

[BeasleysMom]

Thank you so much for your post. I volunteer at a cat shelter and I can also attest to the joys of older cats. There are so many older, loving animals who are rejected just because they are not tiny. The kittens are too rambunctious for me. I vote for the older guy--and gal.

[Freesia2]

You're both so right. Puppies and kittens turn into older animals after all. And to see an older animal who's lost their home suddenly with a 2nd chance and part of a family again - watch them relax and be themselves - they make the best friends. Older animals are such a joy to share your life with.

[sonoffestus]

Yeah, that's why my wife likes me.

[skyeapril]

Adopting older dogs is a great choice and they are sooo grateful for a home. We have adopted older dogs several times and while their life with us may have been shorter, we have lasting memories of how happy we made their last years.

Adopting from rescue organizations allows you to find an animal in need of a home, plus for those that don't want a "mutt" you can find the breed you are searching for with breed-specific rescue organizations. Our family prefers mutts and have been a foster home for a rescue organization. It is a great service and gives the prospective adopters lots of information about the dog before they adopt because the foster family lives with the dog while waiting for his/her new "forever" home. The shelters are over-flowing due to the economy and foreclosures, so any help you can give is extremely welcome. Or consider volunteering if you can't foster.

[VOTER]

GREAT NAME!

There is going to be a lot of fun in the future for the pooch and the grandkids.
Grandpa and Grandma too!

[GeorgeP922]

They should have named him

CHENEY

[PoliticalAmazon]

Uhh...no. Just no, darlin'.

[Freesia2]

You handled that well. Very gently. :-)

[mikep007]

Joe and Jill Biden are really all-American. Now they even have the perfect dog. I love this couple!

[levibatgirl]

Champ is adorable.

He looks like he could use a bath.

Poor baby.

[skmbho]

He looks like he has that wonderful stinky puppy smell!

[BalletMom]

I lurve this puppy almost as much as I lurve Joe!

The kid wants this puppy - she nags me every time she sees the photos.

[Freesia2]

Maybe a trip to the shelter....for a puppy? Or a sweet older dog? Great start to the New Year. You could name him Joe. Or Champ. He could watch the inaugural with your little girl. Nudge nudge. Nudge. More nudges. Not that I'm pushing. Nudge. :-)

[lisakaz2]

Awwww. If you can, you could teach her a bit about responsibility (dog walks and such). If not, maybe she could help out at a shelter?

[3fingerbrown]

Should've named him Hussein, just to rub Rush's nose in it.

[PoliticalAmazon]

Not a good idea.

I think it would be awkward for them to call out the front door of the VP's residence, "Hussein! Where are you? Hussein!"

Any name for a puppy always has to pass the "yelling out the door" test. "Hussein" would be...awkward.

[trucap]

i always liked biden . now i like his dogs . did cheney have dogs ?

[GeorgeP922]

His wife

[GeorgeP922]

Oh yes, he had another one, a real crotch sniffing lap dog.

His name was Scooter Libby.

[studioh!]

He is the biggest dog there is. A real rotten-willer.

[AprilPA]

Cute puppy!

[Misha-in-Texas]

Champ is super cute. Enjoy your puppy Joe, Jill and grandkids!