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U.S. · Uncategorized

George H.S. Bush, 94, Welcomes New K-Nine Companion “Sully”

Former President George H.W. Bush just welcomed a new member to the family: a yellow Labrador retriever. The dog, named “Sully, will be his first service dog. 

The 94-year-old former president and his new companion got to know each other on Monday at the Bush family compound on the coast of Maine.

A photo was sent out on Twitter that showed Sully lounging at the feet of Bush and former President Bill Clinton, who had been visiting on Monday.

The service dog can open doors, pick up items and summon help. But “more than anything else, the dog will be a wonderful companion,” said an aide, Evan Sisley.

The former president uses a wheelchair and an electric scooter to get around since he was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease. The nation’s 41st president is recovering from a recent hospitalization. He is now without his wife of 73 years, Barbara, who died in April. 

Sully was trained by America’s VetDogs, which is a nonprofit that provides service dogs.

“He’s a really sweet dog,” said Sisley. She said they hope that Bush’s use of a service dog will call attention to the organization and to service dogs. Sully has his own Instagram account, so the public can follow her amazing life with a former president.

Bush tweeted this message: “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.”

He is a dog lover and has had dogs since he was a boy. Two of his kids, Neil Bush and Dorothy Bush Koch, together have five dogs there, and other family members bring pets with them when they visit, Sisley said.

Former President Bill Clinton was visiting when Sully was introduced to Bush. The two former presidents are good friends. Bush showed off his Clinton socks he wore for the special visit. The former president tweeted:

“Special visit today with a great friend — and now, a best-selling author. Luckily I had a freshly laundered pair of @BillClinton socks to mark the occasion.”

— itadmin