Major Win w/ Joy McCullough

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Telling The Story of Joe Biden’s Dog, Major, Becoming The First-Ever Rescue Dog In The White House

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About The Episode

Joy McCullough first found her connection with dogs in college. She was staying with family friends during the midst of her parents’ divorce and developed a strong bond with their two rescue dogs – a senior named Barney and a younger puppy named Nina, who gave her great comfort and were always reliable.

She rescued her own dog, Owen, after college. They had a long life together and he emotionally supported her during tough times. Owen even worked his way into the heart of Joy's husband, too. Now, along with their own kids, they have an Australian Shephard, Atheena, who is always by Joy’s side as she works on her writing from home.

Joy is an author whose new book is centered around this week’s historical moment in time where President-elect Joe Biden’s dog, Major, will become the first rescue dog ever to live in the White House. The Biden’s adopted Major after fostering him from the Delaware Humane Association in 2018. Major joined Champ, the Bidens’ other German shepherd, as part of their family at that time. Champ has been in the White House before during Biden's VP years under President Barack Obama, and will be able to show Major the ropes.

This is an important step for several reasons. First off, it's a good sign to have a dog back in the White House in general. Dogs require their human companion to have the ability to care for another being and to think about someone other than themselves, and that's an important quality for a leader. Then, more importantly, having the first-ever rescue dog living at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue marks important historical ground that can set a precedent for terms to come. It also uses the platform of the presidency to give light to the rescue world and raise awareness for shelters. It shows true empathy, compassion, and kindness – features in a leader that we could all use right now.

About The Guest - Joy McCullough

Joy McCullough is a book author who is best known for her debut young adult novel, Blood Water Paint. She has a new book coming out, Champ and Major: First Dogs, a children’s book about the two dogs of President-elect Joe Biden. They’re not just any normal dogs, however. Major will be the first shelter dog ever in the White House, marketing a big moment for the rescue community. And Champ is making his return there to show Major around after already learning the territory himself during Biden’s Vice Presidency with President Barack Obama. As far as her own dogs, Joy has had two key hairy soulmates in her life: Owen and Atheena, who have been around during two separate stretches of important years in her adult life.

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