George W. Bush's 'First Dog' Is Dead
Though this morning we brought you an adorable picture of Bo Obama, this afternoon we bring you said news on the First Dog beat. The Bush family's dog, Barney, has died, The feisty Scottish terrier, who was suffering from lymphoma, was 12 years old. In a statement former President George W. Bush said:
Barney and I enjoyed the outdoors. He loved to accompany me when I fished for bass at the ranch. He was a fierce armadillo hunter. At Camp David, his favorite activity was chasing golf balls on the chipping green. Barney guarded the South Lawn entrance of the White House as if he were a Secret Service agent. He wandered the halls of the West Wing looking for treats from his many friends. He starred in Barney Cam and gave the American people Christmas tours of the White House. Barney greeted Queens, Heads of State, and Prime Ministers. He was always polite and never jumped in their laps. Barney was by my side during our eight years in the White House. He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend. Laura and I will miss our pal.
Part of Barney's White House legacy will be his "Barney Cam" appearances, which included his Christmas time tours. Sometimes his younger Scottie sister Miss Beazley co-starred:
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But just like his human parent, Barney's tenure was not without controversy. He was disliked by Karl Rove, who called him a "lump," and was embroiled in multiple biting scandals. In 2008, as Bush's term was ending, Barney bit Reuters television White House correspondent Jon Decker. He was said to have bit the Boston Celtics public relations director earlier that year.
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Despite a habit for biting people of note, and regardless of anyone's political beliefs, it can be agreed that Barney was one cute First Dog.
