A cat is moving into the White House with President Joe Biden’s two dogs including Major who had two recent biting incidents – and it wasn’t the commander-in-chief’s idea.
The feline’s incoming was revealed by First Lady Jill Biden in a sit-down interview she and the president had with NBC’s TODAY show co-anchor Craig Melvin aired on Friday. In mentioning Major, the Bidens’ German shepherd who bit workers at the White House, Melvin inquired about a cat.
‘There are these rumors that the first family was considering a cat,’ Melvin said. ‘Is that true?’
Jill replied: ‘Oh yes, that’s true. He’s waiting in the wings – she – she’s waiting in the wings.’
The first lady did not reveal much else about the cat besides her gender.
Melvin then asked the president if bringing a cat into the family was his idea.
‘No, but it’s easy,’ the president replied as all three laughed.
Naturally, Melvin wondered if the cat would fare fine given Major’s slightly aggressive history.
Jill explained that part of Major’s training at a shelter after the biting incidents was to prepare him for living with a cat and that ‘he did fine’.
The president joked about bringing Major to meet Melvin, who was not so keen.
‘Well, I don’t know if that’s the best idea based on what I’ve heard about Major,’ Melvin said. ‘Is he back in the White House?’
Jill answered that the three-year-old rescue dog was indeed back, and defended him.
‘He is such a sweet, lovable dog, he really is,’ the first lady said. ‘I’ll take you to meet him, he’s probably outside now.’
The Bidens also have an older German shepherd, Champ. Their decision to bring in a new furry friend is not a complete surprise. In September, Jill told Fox 5, ‘I’d love to get a cat. I love having animals around the house.’ Then in late November, after her husband won the presidential election, Jill confirmed to CBS News that they would be welcoming a feline.
Former President George W Bush had two dogs, Barney and Miss Beazley, and a cat, India, and former President Bill Clinton had a dog, Buddy, and a cat, Socks.
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