George HW Bush's Service Dog Continues Serving Even After His Master's Passing
There were plenty of tear-jerking stories involving tributes to former President George H.W. Bush after news of his passing was announced late Friday. One of the most touching involved a tribute that didn’t even come from a human.
Sully, the service dog who stayed by the side of the 41st president, will be following his casket to Washington for his funeral.
CNN first reported the news that the dog, who has his own Instagram account, would be serving his master one last time.
A picture of Sully with Bush’s casket appeared on the account, along with the caption, “Mission complete.”
Jim McGrath, Bush’s spokesman, also tweeted the same status shortly before it appeared on Sully’s Instagram account.
On George W. Bush’s Instagram account, the 43rd president also posted that, “As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we know that he’ll bring the same comfort to his new home, Walter Reed (Military Medical Center), that he brought to 41.”
The elder Bush had originally received the dog, trained by group America’s VetDogs, earlier this year.
A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, “Sully,” a beautiful — and beautifully trained — lab from @AmericasVetDogs. Could not be more grateful, especially for their commitment to our veterans. pic.twitter.com/Fx4ZCZAJT8
— George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) June 25, 2018
The lab was named after Chesley B. “Sully” Sullenberger III, the pilot who saved 155 lives by landing US Airways Flight 1549 in the Hudson River in New York City in 2009 after both engines failed upon takeoff.
According to KTRK-TV in Houston, AmericaVets “were deeply saddened and that they were truly honored to have placed Sully, who was specifically matched with the president to provide support during his daily activities.”
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time,” said John Miller, president and CEO of America’s VetDogs, according to KTRK.
“It was truly an honor to have provided service dog Sully to be by the president’s side for the past several months. As a true patriot and a visionary, President Bush will forever be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as a hero through his efforts to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are forever grateful to his service to the American people.”
Now, according to KTRK, “Sully will be working alongside fellow VetDogs facility dogs SGT Dillon and SGT Truman who are there to assist with physical and occupational therapy to wounded soldiers and active duty personnel during their journey to recovery at Walter Reed Bethesda.”
But not before he serves his master one last time.
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