Taking on the JournoDog Job

Hello, everyone!

Being the newest canine scribe of this household, I am honored to take on the esteemed mantle of JournoDog. A probie, I am. A “JournoDog in Training,” one might say.

Just as Sunday morning news shows like Meet the Press and Face the Nation have had different hosts through the years, so does JournoDog in writing these chronicles. As we like to say, “If it’s Sunday, it’s meet the press pup.”

Longtime readers may remember that JournoDog recaps all the best, most tail-wagging news out there in the online world. You know, the real scoop (of food) and paw-someness of all that’s worthy of belly rubs and doggy snuggles. Rule #1: Facts matter. Truth is not negotiable. That has been and remains the mission for any JournoDog.

These are big paw prints to fill, to be sure. My predecessor was quite the JournoDog, in her years on the job. I will do my best as a PressPup, or younger newshound out on the scene.

Bear with me, friends. I’m a newbie just putting my paws to the pavement and sniffing out all the news and happenings around me. I’ll do my best, but there may be slip ups where I don’t clean up my messes — like saying CHMKN instead of chicken, or not yet respecting the Canine AP styleguide of commands as well as I should. There may be stories I try to sniff out when there isn’t one to report on, or I may bark up the wrong tree. It’s all a work in progress.

Of course, as any news hound knows, the story is not about us.

While it’d certainly be fitting to take this first post as an opportunity to introduce myself and share more of my origin story, the news doesn’t step aside for our plans.

Headlines captured the sad news on Saturday, June 19, that President-Dad Joe Biden and First Mom Jill said goodbye to their longtime doggo pal, Champ. At 13 years old, this German Shepard had been with them since Joe was in his first year of the White House as VP for President Barack Obama.

I personally don’t remember any of that, since I’m only about 2 years old and wasn’t yet around for those earlier doggo headlines.

But some may recall that JournoDog introduced the Biden doggos in November 2018, when Joe & Jill brought Major home for the first time. At the time, he was the Second Dog for the Vice President and family. They’d make news again after the November 2020 election, marking a newsworthy return for dogs to the White House after the earlier occupant bucked norms and didn’t have a First Pet like most throughout history have.

Many found it comforting to know that Champ was able to return to the big white house in this new First Dog role, and Major would be the first-ever rescue dog to be in the WH. There was an even impressive virtual “Indoguration” ceremony!

Anyhow, with Champ crossing the Rainbow Bridge much like my predecessor did in late 2020, First Lady Biden offered this statement on behalf of the family:

“Our hearts are heavy today as we let you all know that our beloved German Shepherd, Champ, passed away peacefully at home. He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family.”

Interesting news tidbit: Champ came to the Biden family in 2008 as a puppy from a breeder, and Biden’s granddaughters named him “Champ” because that’s what the now-president’s father used to call him. Reputable news sources online say that Champ’s name reminded the president of advice his father used to give, “Any time you get knocked down, champ, get up!“

Worth advice for any dog or person, if you ask me as a newbie JournoDog forming opinions on everything around me. I will certainly take it to heart in my first days, weeks and months here in my new furever-home.

As to Champ’s passing, the Biden family noted this in its statement:

“Even as Champ’s strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub. Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us. He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden.”

RIP, Brother Dog. You will always be remembered in the hearts of minds of so many, Champ.

And so, that is the big news for my intro edition of the JournoDog Chronicles edition. Until next week, or whenever the news beckons like a barking dog you can’t help but pay attention to, #JournoDog out.

As always, remember: Love your dog. Read a newspaper. Support local journalism. And try to smile and find a little happiness for your heart every day.

-30-