Sully, George H.W. Bush’s Services Dog, Loyally Bids Farewell
George H.W. Bush‘s faithful service dog Sully has remained by his side, even after the 41st President of the United State’s passing on Friday.
A photograph of Sully lying by Bush’s flag-draped coffin along with the caption “Mission complete” was shared by Bush’s spokesman Jim McGrath on Twitter.
Mission complete. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/rXdyXAS4lk
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018
“Sully has the watch,” Bush’s son Jeb Bush, added, “Sully has the watch.”
The former commander in chief died at age 94 on November 30, 2018. Sully entered into Bush’s service two months after Bush’s wife, former First Lady Barbara Bush, died in April.
“A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, ‘Sully,’ a beautiful — and beautifully trained — lab from @AmericasVetDogs,” Bush wrote on Twitter at the time. “Could not be more grateful, especially for their commitment to our veterans.”
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bk0tn-NH3Ah/
Sully accompanied Bush where ever he went. He was trained to retrieve dropped items, open and close doors, push an emergency button and support him if he had to stand up.
Sully has his own Instagram account, but his biggest fan might have been Bush, who wore socks that matched his dog on one occasion.
https://www.instagram.com/p/Bmivmd1HXja
Sully was by Bush’s side during his final public appearance at the the polls to vote in the midterm elections on November 1st.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BppsT2FFZZN/
More recently, he was also helping with Christmas decorations.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqsGyGtlYYA/
CNN reported that Sully will accompany the family and fly with Bush’s coffin to Washington, D.C. for the funeral. Afterwards, Sully will be reassigned to another veteran by Walter Reed National Military Medical Center.
“As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we’re comforted to know he’ll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41,” Bush’s son, former President George W. Bush, wrote on Instagram.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BqDXvxqlj60/
Sully was raised and trained by America’s Vet Dogs and named after former airline pilot Chesley “Sully” Sullenberger, who safely landed a plane on the Hudson River in 2009.