Former First Dog Barney Bush passes away at age 12

http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com ^ | february 1, 2013 | Tom Benning

[lowbridge]

Former First Dog Barney Bush — a black Scottish terrier known for chasing golf balls and taking America on video tours of the White House — has passed away after a battle with lymphoma. He was 12.

Former President George W. Bush announced on Friday the passing of the “little fellow,” saying in a news release that “after twelve and a half years of life, his body could not fight off the illness.”

“Barney was by my side during our eight years in the White House,” said Bush, who also released Friday an oil painting he did of Barney. “He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend. Laura and I will miss our pal.”

[Hot Tabasco]

Looking at the pics at a link, Barney was truly a companion and loved. He was not a prop like BO’s dog and the Clinton’s Buddy

Barney and Miss Beeze truly were and that's what makes me admire the President and Laura even more..........

And let's not forget about Bob the cat.........who knew this new guy even existed.

The newest member of the Bush family is a cat named Bob. Bob was found on the ranch in Crawford and was rescued by President and Mrs. Bush in the summer of 2011. Formerly homeless, Bob now comfortably resides in Dallas with his new friends Barney and Miss Beazley. He enjoys playing with lizards, but he especially loves to search for the sunniest spot in the house to take a long catnap.

I would turn over a 10 million dollar winning lottery ticket to charity in return for the following:

1. A pre-dawn breakfast with President Bush then a morning of bass fishing on his favorite pond or lake.

2. A hearty steak lunch then an afternoon of quail or pheasant hunting with Vice President Dick Cheney.

3. Dinner and cocktails with Rush Limbaugh.......

[Bronzy]

RIP Barney. I always looked forward to your Christmas cam. So many happy White House days. Hugs and prayers to former President Bush and family.

[afraidfortherepublic]

I will never understand why mean people and bad people outlive animals.

It's got to be God's Mercy to give them a chance to reform before it is all over. That's the only excuse that I can think of.

[Ditter]

Dogs are amazing. They know when something is wrong. We had 2 Rhodesian Ridgebacks when our son died. He had been away at college so they were accustomed to him not being here, the dogs must have picked it up from us. they became very protective of us, our house and the yard. When their territory grew to include the street and our neighbors yards I had to fence them in. They didn't bite anyone but they would not let anyone enter and they were so big and fierce that no one would challenge them (no mail delivery LOL!).

[Freestate316]

Rest in peace, Barney! He was the real deal, a beloved family member and faithful friend, not a photo op dog. My condolences to the Bush family. I had two dogs killed by cars as a kid, but 40 years later am head over heels in love with an amazing 2 year old tri Pembroke Welsh Corgi, my first dog as an adult.

[matthew fuller]

We need to make February National Doggie Month.

[Ditter]

In Houston there is a local magazine called the Memorial Buzz. They have a Dog of the Year contest and my dog made the February issue, so he is Dog of the Month!

[Freestate316]

And it is also not true that his middle name was Frank

[freekitty]

RIP.

[US_MilitaryRules]

A pic of Barney on my Birthday! RIP Barney and prayers for the grieving owners. :(

[rlmorel]

My Hero. Rest Well, Good and Faithful Servant.

[hummingbird]

Hi, Joe 6-pack:

I would like to be on this ping. Mr. h and I have a silver/white Schnauzer, Dougie, and a Chuweenie named Mr. Wiggles.

A Chuweenie is a Chihuahua/Dachshund mix. They are both clowns and we laugh just about every day about something they do!

[Daryl Dixson]

R.I.P. Barney what a cool dog. I enjoyed watching him when they did the christmas tours.

[dandiegirl]

I love cats and we have a rescue ourselves. I would go on any of those outings with you and Bush and Cheney. What fun that would be!

[Fran B]

I, too, have been missing Barney’s Christmas CAM! He was a good dog, faithful friend, and is waiting in heaven with our Brandy, our Golden!

[dandiegirl]

I think dogs must have a 6th sense about death. Maybe it’s a particular odor they can detect. I hate reading those stories about dogs that go to the cemetery of their masters etc. We treat our dogs and cat like people so any thought of them being upset makes me sad!

[dandiegirl]

You should get one! They are very calm, unlike most terriers. Fiercely loyal and very human-like. We just adore them. They don't shed either.

[dandiegirl]

Love those Corgis. So cute!

[Salamander]

You can find all kinds of strange breeds on FR.

[Fire_on_High]

Cats also.

When I had to have one of my cats put to sleep after he developed a brain condition that caused seizure-like bursts of uncontrolled aggression, I brought his body home from the vet and laid the cardboard “casket” the vet gave us down on the floor and opened it. Both of the girls came up to sniff and nuzzle the body. After that, they’d always go to an old scratching box we kept because it was his....it’ll be 6 years this Feb and they still seem to go to it for comfort, and as long as they do, we’ll keep it.

The boys we got a few months after he passed have only the most passing interest in the scratching box and much prefer the newer ones that smell like catnip, not “unknown cat”.