Willow, the new Biden cat in the White House 0:35
(CNN) --
On hot summer days, Willow the cat rules the roost.
On Friday, Willow's box was seen being carried by a member of the White House residence staff to Marine One, the presidential helicopter that will transport the feline, along with President Joe Biden and First Lady Dr. Jill. Biden, to Rehoboth, Delaware, to the family's beach house.
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It's questionable whether a cat can appreciate a stay by the sea, but for Willow, the Rehoboth house is one of several changes of scenery she can appreciate as a presidential pet.
The Bidens' cat "Willow" is brought to Marine One before President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden board Marine One on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington on June 17, 2022. The Bidens they will spend the weekend in Rehoboth Beach, Delaware.
Credit: Mandel Ngan/ AFP via Getty Images
"Willow often spends her weekends with the presidential family, including in Rehoboth, Wilmington and Camp David," the first lady's press secretary, Michael LaRosa, told CNN.
When she's not being taken away for the weekend, Willow has privileges to tour the White House.
She's mostly restricted to the second and third floors of the White House executive residence, where, according to CNN, Willow especially enjoys the solarium, a bright space above the South Portico, where she "gets a lot of attention from the Executive Residence staff."
In Wilmington and Camp David, she "usually sits on the porch sunbathing," says LaRosa.
Back home, Willow also likes to visit the staff working in the East Wing, taking quiet naps at the press secretary's desk, chasing her toys in and out of offices, and generally being up for scratching.
Once or twice, Willow has explored beyond her domain, reaching the White House chief administrator's office on the main floor, just off the north entrance.
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Staff in the east wing have a sign to let them know when Willow is walking around the house, which includes a photo of her face and reads, "Willow is hanging around! Please keep these doors locked."
The East Wing sign that warns of Willow's prowling.
The thousands upon thousands of square feet that Willow now occupies at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue is a far cry from her humble beginnings as a Pennsylvania stable cat, where during a campaign speech by Jill Biden, she snuggled up to the soon-to-be first lady.
For Biden, it was love at first sight.
"Willow impressed Dr. Biden in 2020 when she jumped onstage and interrupted her remarks," LaRosa said a few months ago.
"Seeing her immediate bond with her, the farm owner knew that Willow must be with Dr. Biden."
He named it Willow after his hometown, Willow Grove, Pennsylvania.
Although it wasn't until January that Ella Willow moved into the White House, she enjoyed staying with Biden acquaintances in Washington, until it was time to officially induct her into the Biden household.
Willow, the new Biden cat in the White House 0:35
In December of last year, the Bidens announced the arrival of Commander, a German shepherd puppy.
Willow had to wait a bit for the dog situation to resolve itself.
Champ, the Bidens' beloved 13-year-old dog, died last June, and Major, their youngest adopted German shepherd, had some well-documented trouble adjusting to the White House, so he was relocated with friends from the White House. family.
But like most cats, Willow doesn't care too much for dogs, though she and Commander now have a "warm and playful relationship," according to LaRosa.
"We don't anthropomorphize her relationship with human terms like 'boss,'" he says, before adding, "I'd always bet on Willow, though."
CatJill Biden
