USA
Bidens send Christmas greetings to the military with the dog Commander
US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden send Christmas greetings to the military with Dog Commander. Photo: Carolyn Kaster / AP / dpa
© dpa-infocom GmbH
Dog Commander was introduced on Twitter a week ago, and now he’s sitting on the presidential couch at Christmas – while the US president is giving Christmas greetings to the military.
US President Joe Biden and his wife Jill and their new dog, Commander, have wished soldiers abroad a Merry Christmas. The German Shepherd was sitting on the couch in the White House when the Biden sent greetings to the military who were connected via video.
“That’s Commander,” said Biden. “He is 16 weeks old.” Jill Biden stroked the animal that snuggled up to the US President. The White House introduced the new dog on Twitter earlier this week. Commander was a gift from Joe Biden’s brother, said spokeswoman Jen Psaki. He is very adorable and will bring great joy to the President, his family and probably all of us. In the days that followed, Commander could be seen frolicking in the White House garden.
Shepherds in the White House
After taking office, Biden had brought his two German Shepherds, Major and Champ, to the White House. Champ died in the summer. Major hit the headlines because of incidents involving White House staff – including biting a member of Biden’s security team. The dog now lives mainly in the family home in Wilmington. First Lady Jill Biden announced in the spring that a cat would soon be moving into the White House. “We can assume that we will meet the cat (…) in January,” said Psaki.
Biden thanked the military for their commitment. They are “the solid steel backbone of the nation”. “We are grateful for your courage, your sacrifice,” he said. Being separated from family on the holidays is especially tough. ÒÀÜWeòÀll send this guy over here, òÀ Biden joked, looking at Commander, who didnòÀt want to sit still on the couch.