# The Bidens have a cat! \[Welcome to First Cat Willow\] **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [January 28, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572 "2022-01-28T14:32:44Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 20\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:32pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/1 "2022-01-28T14:32:44Z")
And her name is Willow: > **[Bidens welcome new family cat to the White House | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2022/01/28/politics/biden-family-cat-willow/index.html)** > > First lady Jill Biden has revealed the long-awaited Biden family cat. ---
**Author:** ![ekedolphin](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ekedolphin/32/10003_2.png) [@ekedolphin](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ekedolphin)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 2:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/2 "2022-01-28T14:56:08Z")
We’ve had two gray tabbies before, and they were so sweet. (Well, one didn’t like the other cats very much, but she was a nurse kitty to my mother. The other absolutely adored me). ---
**Author:** ![What\_Exit](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/what_exit/32/10652_2.png) [@What\_Exit](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/What_Exit)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/3 "2022-01-28T15:10:35Z")
Willow is a cutie. ---
**Author:** ![Gyrate](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gyrate/32/3588_2.png) [@Gyrate](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Gyrate)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:31pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/4 "2022-01-28T15:31:20Z")
Saw that. Very cute. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:55pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/5 "2022-01-28T15:55:02Z")
> Biden first met Willow at a campaign stop in 2020, according to information provided by the first lady’s press secretary Michael LaRosa, when the cat jumped on stage and the owners of the farm where the event was being held noticed the "immediate bond"they shared. Squee! ---
**Author:** ![WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wookinpanubv.2/32/3260_2.png) [@WOOKINPANUBv.2](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/WOOKINPANUBv.2)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/6 "2022-01-28T15:56:10Z")
I almost didn’t see her there on the couch, I hope Papa Joe doesn’t accidentally sit on her. ---
**Author:** ![DavidNRockies](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/davidnrockies/32/6279_2.png) [@DavidNRockies](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DavidNRockies)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 3:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/7 "2022-01-28T15:57:14Z")
After Major, the Bidens’ German Shepherd, bit a Secret Service agent (or two+), Major was sent home to Delaware. What – one wonders – will come of dear Willow after (inevitably) treating the agents with loathing, contempt, and derision 😉 ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:11pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/8 "2022-01-28T16:11:07Z")
I saw this on NPR. Willow looks quite surprised to find herself in the White House; but appears to have already found some good things about it, including a very nice window seat. As she’s already comfortable enough to be sprawled out belly up on top of the couch instead of hiding underneath it, she seems to be a good candidate for a position that’s best for a highly confident cat. (And _looookit that belly_! Although, ah, Willow: does that count as entrapment?) ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/9 "2022-01-28T16:40:21Z")
I always wonder how cats work in a place like the White House with people constantly coming and going. If it was my cats they would’ve gone missing in less than a week. ---
**Author:** ![DrDeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/b487fb/32.png) [@DrDeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DrDeth)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 4:52pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/10 "2022-01-28T16:52:06Z")
Very cool. > [@AlsoNamedBort](#): > > I always wonder how cats work in a place like the White House with people constantly coming and going. If it was my cats they would’ve gone missing in less than a week. Willow is likely in the residential side. ---
**Author:** ![AlsoNamedBort](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/alsonamedbort/32/3213_2.png) [@AlsoNamedBort](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/AlsoNamedBort)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:49pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/11 "2022-01-28T17:49:32Z")
Wouldn’t there still be staff like housekeepers and such going in and out every day? ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 5:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/12 "2022-01-28T17:57:06Z")
Willow reminds me a lot of our old cat Atticus. Very nice. More pics here: > **[Bidens Welcome Official White House Cat: Meet Willow the 2-Year-Old Tabby](https://people.com/pets/bidens-welcome-willow-white-house-cat/)** > > A spokesman for first lady Dr. Jill Biden confirmed to PEOPLE that the cat is settling in to 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue ---
**Author:** ![silenus](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/silenus/32/166_2.png) [@silenus](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/silenus)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 6:00pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/13 "2022-01-28T18:00:08Z")
> [@DavidNRockies](#): > > What – one wonders – will come of dear Willow after (inevitably) treating the agents with loathing, contempt, and derision The agents will feel like the previous occupant of the White House was still around. ---
**Author:** ![Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/e/7cd45c/32.png) [@Elendil\_s\_Heir](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Elendil_s_Heir)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 6:01pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/14 "2022-01-28T18:01:21Z")
Plus, you know… it’s a _cat_. ---
**Author:** ![wolfpup](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/wolfpup/32/10618_2.png) [@wolfpup](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfpup)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 6:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/15 "2022-01-28T18:06:30Z")
And, in news from the canine side, the Bidens also have a new German Shepherd puppy, Commander. After the unfortunate death of Champ, and Major having to be temporarily fostered with friends due to aggression, it’s nice to have some good news on the puppy front. > **[Bidens add to their family with new first puppy | CNN Politics](https://www.cnn.com/2021/12/20/politics/first-puppy-bidens-white-house/index.html)** > > President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden have added to their pet family, the first lady's spokesperson told CNN. ---
**Author:** ![Esprise\_Me](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/esprise_me/32/2947_2.png) [@Esprise\_Me](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Esprise_Me)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 7:56pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/16 "2022-01-28T19:56:25Z")
I frequently lost track of my cat when we lived in a 500 sq. ft. apartment, though he never got out. I imagine in the White House, even if you’re sure you’ve successfully confined the cat, you just have to resign yourself to seeing her only when she wishes to be seen. ---
**Author:** ![Robot\_Arm](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/robot_arm/32/18280_2.png) [@Robot\_Arm](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Robot_Arm)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 8:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/17 "2022-01-28T20:03:26Z")
> [@thorny\_locust](#): > > I saw this on NPR. That’s a pretty good trick. ---
**Author:** ![Folly](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/folly/32/3219_2.png) [@Folly](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Folly)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 8:06pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/18 "2022-01-28T20:06:28Z")
Wait, how did they find out _our_ cat is named Willow? 🤔 ---
**Author:** ![thorny\_locust](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/thorny_locust/32/431_2.png) [@thorny\_locust](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/thorny_locust)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 8:43pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/19 "2022-01-28T20:43:03Z")
> [@Robot\_Arm](#): > > > [@thorny\_locust](#): > > > > I saw this on NPR. > > That’s a pretty good trick. They’ve got a website. ---
**Author:** ![Bootb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/e19b73/32.png) [@Bootb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Bootb)\ **Post date:** [January 28, 2022, 9:07pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572/20 "2022-01-28T21:07:36Z")
> [@Folly](#): > > Wait, how did they find out _our_ cat is named Willow? It’s amazing what the NSA can do these days. [Next page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/the-bidens-have-a-cat-welcome-to-first-cat-willow/958572.md?page=2)