Amid the thousands of tributes paid to former President George H.W. Bush in the wake of his death, one photo has captured the hearts of people across the globe. In a snap shared by President H.W. Bush’s post-White House spokesman, Jim McGrath, the 41st Commander in Chief’s service dog “Sully” could be seen lying down next to Bush’s casket, in a mournful pose. “Mission complete,” McGrath wrote in the caption.
Mission complete. #Remembering41 pic.twitter.com/rXdyXAS4lk
— Jim McGrath (@jgm41) December 3, 2018
Today, Sully will accompany Bush’s casket to Washington D.C., where the President’s body will lie in state ahead of a day of national mourning. Air Force One will transport the casket, and will be temporarily renamed “Special Air Mission 41” in honor of the former President.
Many replied to the tweet, liked over 100,000 times, with their own words of thanks and appreciation for Sully’s service to the President. “Sully is so precious!” one person replied. “Such love and devotion!”
“Loyal until the end,” another added. “Why we love dogs so much. R.I.P.”
Sully even had his own Instagram account, with snaps appearing of his various adventures at the side of President H.W. Bush.
https://www.instagram.com/p/BppsT2FFZZN/
According to ABC-6, Sully will now head back to America’s VetDogs in Smithtown, New York, for a temporary stay before being assigned to serve another wounded vet as part of the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center’s Facility Dog Program.
“Our thoughts and prayers are with the entire Bush family during this difficult time,” said John Miller, President and CEO of America’s VetDogs.
“It was truly an honor to have provided service dog Sully to be by the president’s side for the past several months. As a true patriot and a visionary, President Bush will forever be viewed by people with disabilities and their families as a hero through his efforts to enact the Americans with Disabilities Act. We are forever grateful to his service to the American people.”
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. pic.twitter.com/Fx4ZCZAJT8
— George Bush (@GeorgeHWBush) June 25, 2018
Do pray for the entire Bush family as they grieve the loss of their beloved George.