‘Champ and Major: First Dogs’ author event set Jan. 19
To celebrate the “indoguration” of Major Biden and the official launch of Joy McCullough’s children’s book, “Champ and Major: First Dogs,” a public virtual book launch event will be held at 5 p.m., Tuesday, Jan. 19. Animal lovers of all ages are invited to join the live discussion on Zoom. The event is co-hosted by Browseabout Books, Lewes Public Library and Delaware Humane Association.
Browseabout Books is also donating $2 from each book sale to the Delaware Humane Association. Proceeds will help support necessary lifesaving services to homeless animals under DHA care.
The virtual event will include a live book reading by McCullough and dog sketching by its Kansas City-based illustrator, Sheyda Abvabi Best. Pets available for adoption through DHA will be highlighted.
“Champ and Major: First Dogs,” published by Penguin Random House, tells the story of Champ, who is excited to go back to the White House, and Major, who will be the first shelter dog to live at 1600 Pennsylvania Ave. The book’s whimsical illustrations are an added delight.
After fostering him for several months, President-elect Joe and Dr. Jill Biden adopted Major from DHA in late 2018. Major was part of a litter of six dogs that were surrendered after ingesting a toxic substance. Thanks to fundraising by local animal lovers and DHA supporters, Major and his littermates received lifesaving medical care with another local veterinary hospital.
Headquartered in Wilmington, Delaware Humane Association opened its Rehoboth Beach adoption center three years ago, and it accounts for about 1/3 of adoptions statewide. DHA’s mission of “making friends for life” is partially fulfilled by matching dogs and cats with their forever families. The Rehoboth center also contributes to the community with low-cost pet vaccine clinics and pet food pantries. Staff and volunteers assist with food banks, host social gatherings for all pet lovers, and widen community engagement through partnerships with local businesses. More than 100 volunteers for the Rehoboth center walk, train, socialize and foster the animals. The center is undergoing a complete renovation and should reopen in February.
Patrick Carroll, Delaware Humane Association executive director, said: “We are so grateful to Browseabout for their amazing generosity, especially during this time when more animals than ever deserve loving homes. I hope all who love animals, appreciate a true underdog story, and enjoy having Browseabout and the Lewes Public Library in our community will join the virtual event!”
Event registration is open at lewes.lib.de.us. For details, contact leweslibrary@gmail.com. Book copies purchased from Browseabout come with a signed archival bookplate; to buy, go to browseaboutbooks.com, call 302-226-2665, or stop by the store at 133 Rehoboth Ave., Rehoboth Beach. For more information about DHA, go to delawarehumane.org.
