How I almost killed the Vice President's dog...

Those of you who know me know that I work at the U.S. Naval Observatory. Since 1976 the Observatory has also been the home of the Vice President of the U.S. Since 1997 I've had the chance to show three VP's and their families the various sights of the Observatory. The new tenants, Vice President Joe and Dr. Jill Biden, have been quite actively visiting us since moving into One Observatory Circle.

Dr. Biden in particular brings people up fairly often. Today she hosted a reception at the Residence for 5th & 6th Grade students from a DC Charter School and a military school from Quantico. One of the activities that was planned was a quick visit to our 26-inch "Great Equatorial" telescope, with yours truly as the host.

Between the students, Secret Service, teachers, & VP staffers there were about 35 people who eventually wandered up from the house, along with Champ, the Bidens' year-old German Shepherd dog.

Champ was having a grand ol' time cavorting on the lawn with the kids. As we all filed into the telescope dome he made a number of attempts to come in as well, until he finally escaped a staffer and found his way inside.

We've just refinished the floor in there, which happens to be an elevating platform to gain access to the telescope. It's nice and shiny and slick. Champ was darting between people, skidding into turns, and generally having a ball. Until he skidded once too often. There's a large hole in the floor where a spiral staircase gives access to the basement. Out of the corner of my eye, amid all the confusion, I see Champ's rear end disappear down the hole. He hangs desperately onto the lip for a brief instant with his front paws, then Whoosh! Down he goes like Alice down the rabbit hole.

My first thought was "Oh, shit! He's either dead or has a broken back! Either way this doesn't look good..."

Several agents and Dr. Biden rush down the steps. I at least had the presence of mind to turn the light on and got Bill (one of the real astronomers who works with the telescope) to clear access to the more conventional basement stairway.

Then one of the aides says "OK, Mr. Chester, we're all ready for your presentation!"

Well, somehow I pull it together, do my speil, during which Dr. Biden comes up to indicate Champ's OK. Does that qualify as "Grace under pressure?"