by Mark Silva
The little German shepherd named Champ that moved into the mansion of the U.S. Naval Observatory with Vice President Joe Biden and wife Jill Biden has managed to keep out of range of the Puppy-razzi since the Biden grandchildren christened Champ at Christmas.
So it is with longing that we search the wires for photographic evidence of Champ's cameo appearance Monday afternoon at that Teacher of the Year reception chez Bidens. (Don't know about you, but we're growing weary of counting swine flu cases here, so this seems as good a time as any to update the first (Bo), and second (Champ), dog census.
The vice president's wife, a teacher-with-a-doctorate in her own right and working now at teaching ESOL in Virginia, played host to 2009 Teachers of the Year from 50 states, the District of Columbia, the Department of Defense, American Samoa, you name it.
Fifty-four of the 55 made it - and see, President Obama was ridiculed once for suggesting during the campaign that there are 57 states. They are in town for a Rose Garden ceremony with the president today. The top teacher from Vermont was a no-show Monday (we're trusting there's no flu there.)
They snacked on lemonade, tea and cookies.
The second lady was speaking on the landing by the stairs in the front room of the Naval Observatory residence. She wore a hot pink - and sleeveless - dress (administration coordination there), with three strands of pearls, pearl earrings and a pearl bracelet, paired with cream-colored heels (thank goodness for good pool reports).
"The first day that we moved in here we had school children from the District come through, and they were elementary," she told her colleagues. "But what an honor it is for me today to have teachers.. and not just any teachers, I mean you guys are the best teachers.''
As she was introducing guests, including Becky Gates, wife of the Defense secretary, Patty Shineski, wife of the Veterans Affairs secretary, and Christie Vilsack, wife of the agriculture secretary, out trotted....
Champ: Appearing at the stairs, pawsing for a moment and then making an entrance to oohs and ahhs from the prize teacher corps.
""He wants to be introduced," the second lady joked, as Champ came in to mingle. "Heeeyy boy," one man called, as the teachers petted and snapped photos. The pool reporter who provided this account also notes that "Champ has a soft coat and is quite comfortable in a crowd.''
Now, if only we can get that picture.
Comments
GS is a truly great breed.
Smart, loyal, protective, and a dog who can accompany you on a 6 mile run and want to do it all over again when you get home.
Posted by: ornery | April 28, 2009 2:21 PM
Biden's popularity ratings, can you believe, are below cheney's.
Dog story, lemonade and cookies make Biden "likeable".
NOT!
Media hounds are getting too obvious with their stories.
Goebbel's media at work.
Posted by: John | April 28, 2009 2:51 PM
"Biden's popularity ratings, can you believe, are below cheney's".Posted by: John
No, I can't believe.
"April 27, 2009 7:08 AM
If part of Joe Biden’s job is to stay in the boss’ shadow, he’s doing fine. Fifty-seven percent of Americans in the latest ABC News/Washington Post poll have a favorable opinion of the vice president, a respectable rating in this most basic measure of personal popularity. But it’s far short of Barack Obama’s 72 percent favorability."
Posted by: Flo | April 28, 2009 7:07 PM
German Shepard - now that's a dog unlike the fufu mutt BO has. Hope the new puppy pees on his shoes though.
Posted by: Terry | April 28, 2009 7:39 PM
GS or Portie--doesn't matter.
All dogs have certain common instincts.
For example, the growl at certain folks--like
well, you know who you are.
Posted by: ornery | April 29, 2009 4:06 PM