The Biden family is in mourning today after their beloved dog Champ passed away at the age of 13.

“He was our constant, cherished companion during the last 13 years and was adored by the entire Biden family,” President Joe Biden and first lady Jill Biden said in a statement obtained by NBC News.

“Even as Champ’s strength waned in his last months, when we came into a room, he would immediately pull himself up, his tail always wagging, and nuzzle us for an ear scratch or a belly rub. Wherever we were, he wanted to be, and everything was instantly better when he was next to us,” they added. “He loved nothing more than curling up at our feet in front of a fire at the end of the day, joining us as a comforting presence in meetings, or sunning himself in the White House garden.”

The Biden’s had bought Champ when he was a puppy back in 2008, just before they moved into the vice president’s official residence at the Naval Observatory. Biden said that he got the name Champ from his father, who would tell him, “Any time you get knocked down, champ — get up!”

The Biden’s went on to reflect on Champ’s younger days, saying that the large canine enjoyed chasing golf balls and running after the Biden’s grandchildren.

“In our most joyful moments and in our most grief-stricken days, he was there with us, sensitive to our every unspoken feeling and emotion,” they continued. “We love our sweet, good boy and will miss him always.”

The Biden’s also have another German shepherd named Major, a rescue dog they adopted in 2018. Both dogs went back to the White House in March after they were briefly sent to the Biden’s home in Delaware after Major nipped a Secret Service agent’s hand.

White House press secretary Jen Psaki said that the incident happened when Major “was surprised by an unfamiliar person and reacted in a way that resulted in a minor injury to the individual.” Michael LaRosa, who is the first lady’s press secretary, added that Major was given some extra training while in Delaware to help him get adjusted to his new surroundings.