Spot, Bush's Dog Has Died

White House web page | Press Secretary

[cajuncooker]

Statement by the Press Secretary

February 21, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President and Mrs. Bush and the entire Bush family are deeply saddened by the passing of Spot. A loyal and loving companion, Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years. She will be missed.

[CindyDawg]

Vito"....

lol. mine is "Cindydawg"

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

I just lost mine Wednesday night. Not everyone understands how painful it is, apparently.

[kcamtx]

I remember a quote from, I think an old Englishman, long ago......"He cannot be a gentleman, who loveth not a dog."

[SAMWolf]

Strange Spot died of old age while Buddy died when he was no longer needed as a political prop.

[cyncooper]

What did spot die of? I thought he was a young dog. OH how sad, and during these hard troubling times for our prez....DARN!:(

She was almost 15, it says, which is up there for a dog. You're thinking of young and spunky Barney who was a pup when President Bush took office.

Your observation about our President having troubling times is true, and it made me think of how he'll miss his good and faithful friend, who I am sure was a great comfort to him. This adds to his burdens in a way. Sad.

[Howlin]

I've seen that one, Suzi, but I can't find it right this minute!

[cwb]

Who was the owner of the other little black Scotty...the one they did the Christmas special on, as he wondered around the White House? Was that the President's dog, also?

[leadpenny]

Compare the difference from over two years ago:

Former First Dog, Buddy, Dead

[Howlin]

I just love the fact that this dog was born and died in that White House.

[MEG33]

Leave out "cat" and your name fits your post perfectly..

[BigSkyFreeper]

That's a great photo!! Spot and Barney together! :)

[Cathryn Crawford]

I'm sorry. I've never had a dog that I was close to, but I did have a cat that I adored that was killed. It does hurt, doesn't it?

[Howlin]

LOL.....I remember that thread!

Poor Buddy.

[pabianice]

"Ode to Spot"

http://www.sherylfranklin.com/odespot.html

[Indy Pendance]

Excellent photo!

[mountaineer]

obviously DU disinformaiton....

I don't have the stomach to look, but wouldn't be surprised if the DUmmies are finding humor in the news of Spotty's death.

[Republic]

It is so damn hard to lose a beloved pet, no matter what the type, be it dog, cat, bird, whatever.

Because of our President's nature, because of the hundreds of shots with him touching, playing, looking deeply into Spots eyes and conveying that love that many of us have felt with our own animals...I am sort of weepy. I know giving up Spot has hurt this good man and his family.

I guess I don't want our President to feel hurt, nor Laura. They get so many daggers pointed their way (I know-it is a part of the job).

Just a prayer: Father, I just want to thank You so much for providing us with such loving, loyal, deeply joyful companions. What an indescribable bond is formed between the master and his companion. This bond sustains us, makes us better people, comforts us and brings such laughter into our lives. Lord, please touch the hearts of President Bush and his family with happy memories of terrific moments with Spot, so much so, that the loss is diminished. And Father-thanks again for blessing this world with such delightful creatures. You knew we needed them! Amen.

[gatorgriz]

Spot, if I'm not mistaken, was a liver and white English Springer Spaniel.

For many, many years I bred, raised, and hunted with my faithful, loyal, and loving Springers; liver and white all... GREAT DOGS!

I had to put down my Honey Bun, a few years ago due to age; she's buried in my backyard in a place of honor... It still hurts. She was the very best gun dog I ever owned; simply fantastic.

Gave up bird hunting the year after that; just isn't the same without my partner...

[LADY J]

"One of my favorite pictures of Spot is of her in the Oval Office while the President is working at his desk. The sun is shining through the window and making patterns on the floor, while Spot is lying, patiently, at his feet."

That's my favorite too. I was going to ask if anyone had that picture.

We'll all miss Spot. It's sad for GW and Laura but they were good keepers of Spot and they loved her.