Spot, Bush's Dog Has Died

White House web page | Press Secretary

[cajuncooker]

Statement by the Press Secretary

February 21, 2004

STATEMENT BY THE PRESS SECRETARY

The President and Mrs. Bush and the entire Bush family are deeply saddened by the passing of Spot. A loyal and loving companion, Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years. She will be missed.

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thank you. It's so hard. : (

[Kaslin]

Anyone know if the press release mentioned what Spot died of? Old age, complications of something?

He would have been 15 on March 17, so it must have been old age

[ohioWfan]

[DaughterOfAnIwoJimaVet]

Thanks, Cathryn.

[Neets]

(((((((HUGS)))))))))))

It'll get better..trust me.

In time, when you are really ready, you'll easily find another best friend to make even more memories with.

[EvaClement]

H.o.T.Dog, thanks, lovely poem.

E.C.

[Howlin]

D, I'm so sorry. It's heart wrenching.

[cyncooper]

I just love the fact that this dog was born and died in that White House.

I do, too. Thank you for posting all of these pictures.

[PLK]

So much formality looks out of place with a dog around...

I remember reading after 9-11 about the emergency centers that were set up in New York to assist people who were missing family members. Volunteers took therapy dogs to the centers to just hang out. It was understood that even in the midst of such unspeakable tragedy and sadness, the presence of a dog added a sense of normalcy and warmth.

[LADY J]

"Do you have that one?"

I do now. Kayak posted it.

[kayak]

#132 says a whole lot about both the man and the dog. Hard to put into words but it is very expressive and very touching.

[Cicero]

Corrected link to Spot's White House tour:

http://www.whitehouse.gov/kids/tour/

[bellas_sister]

Where is the link?

There is nothing on the White House webpage

[cyncooper]

Hey, is that a little Barbara Bush (along with Grandma Barbara) in that pic? Or maybe Jenna?

[Howlin]

Thank everybody for all the pictures.

These with Spot and Bush are so sad. I bet he's heartbroken today.

[Howlin]

I am not sure.

[ohioWfan]

[Salamander]

This is in memory of my own dear Minnie who passed away March 13, 2002. The only sorrow she ever brought me was the day she left me.

---

“The Power of the Dog”
Rudyard Kipling


THERE is sorrow enough in the natural way
From men and women to fill our day;
And when we are certain of sorrow in store,
Why do we always arrange for more?
Brothers and Sisters, I bid you beware
Of giving your heart to a dog to tear.
Buy a pup and your money will buy
Love unflinching that cannot lie—
Perfect passion and worship fed
By a kick in the ribs or a pat on the head.
Nevertheless it is hardly fair
To risk your heart for a dog to tear.

When the fourteen years which Nature permits
Are closing in asthma, or tumour, or fits,
And the vet’s unspoken prescription runs
To lethal chambers or loaded guns,
Then you will find—it’s your own affair—
But . . . you’ve given your heart to a dog to tear.

When the body that lived at your single will,
With its whimper of welcome, is stilled (how still!).
When the spirit that answered your every mood
Is gone—wherever it goes—for good,
You will discover how much you care,
And will give your heart to a dog to tear.

We’ve sorrow enough in the natural way,
When it comes to burying Christian clay.
Our loves are not given, but only lent,
At compound interest of cent per cent.
Though it is not always the case, I believe,
That the longer we’ve kept ’em, the more do we grieve.
For, when debts are payable, right or wrong,
A short-time loan is as bad as a long—
So why in—Heaven (before we are there)
Should we give our hearts to a dog to tear?

---

Good old Spot, you good dog, you.

[Aeronaut]

There is no greater, more loyal friend.

[Howlin]

Oh, I know. These last ones are really getting to me now.