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George H.W. Bush's Service Dog Sully Stays By His Side
The body of America’s 41st president, George H.W. Bush, has been placed inside the U.S. Capitol building. People began lining up in the early morning hours Tuesday for the chance to honor Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94.
All day, thousands of people walked by his flag-covered casket. Alongside them was someone that came into Bush’s life only recently: his service dog, Sully. Bush received Sully in June from America's VetDogs, an organization that trains dogs to help war veterans and active military members.
Bush was a pilot for the U.S. Navy during World War II. His plane was shot down during a bombing mission over the Pacific Ocean. Later in his life, he developed a form of Parkinson’s disease. He used a wheelchair in his final years.
Sully, a two-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, helped the former president do things such as open and close doors, pick up objects and seek help if needed.
But above all, the dog was a “wonderful companion,” said Bush aide Evan Sisley. Bush got Sully just two months after the death of his wife of 73 years. Barbara Bush died in April at the age of 92.
Sully has remained by Bush’s side since his death Friday. On Sunday night, Bush spokesman Jim McGrath shared an emotional photo of the loyal dog lying on the ground in front of Bush’s casket.
“Mission completed,” McGrath wrote, along with the hashtag #Remembering41. The image has been shared more than 65,000 times.
When Bush first got Sully, he wrote about the dog on Twitter. He said, “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...”
America’s VetDogs says Sully will soon begin working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program. The medical center is just outside of Washington, D.C. There, Sully will help wounded soldiers as they go through physical therapy and other treatments.
George W. Bush, America’s 43rd president and son of George H.W Bush, made note this week of the happiness Sully brought to his father.
The younger Bush wrote on Instagram, “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.”
And that’s What’s Trending Today.
I'm Ashley Thompson.
Ashley Thompson wrote this story based on reports from the Associated Press and VOA News. Hai Do was the editor.
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Words in This Story
companion - n. a person or animal you spend time with or enjoy being with
loyal - adj. having or showing complete and constant support for someone or something
casket - n. a box in which a dead person is buried
grateful - adj. feeling or showing thanks
comfort - v. to cause (someone) to feel less worried, upset, frightened, etc.