Former first dog Barney dies, Bush honors with oil painting

President George W. Bush waves to the crowd as he carries his dog Barney atop the steps of Air Force One, August 6, 2002 and heads for Marine One in Waco, Texas, en route to his ranch in Crawford, Texas. / PAUL J. RICHARDS / AFP / Getty Images

Former President George W. Bush's beloved, 12-year-old Scottish Terrier Barney died after suffering from lymphoma, the former president announced in a statement today.

"Barney was by my side during our eight years in the White House," Mr. Bush said. "He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend. Laura and I will miss our pal."

Along with his statement, Mr. Bush today released a picture of an oil painting of Barney that the former president painted himself. The painting is signed "43." Since leaving the White House, Mr. Bush has kept a low profile and, New York Magazine reported last year, has "taken up painting, making portraits of dogs and arid Texas landscapes."

Below is Mr. Bush's full statement:

9 Photos

Barney, George W. Bush's dog, dies

Laura and I are sad to announce that our Scottish Terrier, Barney, has passed away. The little fellow had been suffering from lymphoma and after twelve and a half years of life, his body could not fight off the illness.

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.

[unclesmrgoldragon]

Dear Mr. President,

Condolences on the loss of Barney. None of our little friends live as long as we do, but I do believe that they, like the fallen sparrow of Scripture, are beloved of the Lord.

[lisachamp]

It's always difficult to lose one of our 'pals'. Can't imagine george w painting that picture of Barney, let alone writing about his death.

[Pasqualeen]

Was Barney,@ 85 Doggy years old, DENIED Treatment by ObamaCare Death Panels - Just Like Older American PEOPLE Will Be? :'(

[minpin32]

There ARE NO death panels. That's just pure BS.

[Bojax39]

minpin32 replies: "There ARE NO death panels. That's just pure BS."

Just keep telling yourself that..... :-)

[ttroutsky]

what a shame that people who are obvious liberals feel the need to also show us just how intolerant, insensitive and downright mean they are when it comes to something like this. But soon the very same people will without a doubt call for a commission or just pine for the good old days when we all got along..thus proving their abject hypocrisy that only gets larger and worse.

[hypnotoad72]

Or double-standards; I've seen dislike from both sides. There is nothing partisan by default over any of this.

[Dev-Null_Bogus]

Wow, what a bunch of insensitive jerks.

Whether you care for the man or not, a pet is a family member. If it was a child who passed, would you be using this is a chance to lump more abuse on this poor fellow who has had the grace to stay out of the public eye?

Leave GWB alone. He's not bothering anyone.

I send my condolences out to the Bush family. Having recently lost my cat, I can appreciate the pain that loosing your best friend can inflict.

And to the jerk who says the Bush's have enough to go "buy another Barney" go fsck yourself. Pets are induviduals, and cannot just be replaced.

Dev-Null, Bane of the Internet

[busjosh]

AMEN!!! What a great response to these jerks! This is not the time or place to heap abuse on this man, THAT WE ELECTED TO TWO TERMS, when he lost his friend. I will bet that every one of you have a pet that you treat like your child and would be devastated if you lost them! How cruel and insensitive you all are! Just judging from your comments, I will bet you are either Dems or Libs, not much difference between the two, who will slam whoever dares to say anything against the current administration! You call us racist, women haters, psychos with guns, kid killers, etc., if we dare speak out. Get a life and grow up! We are sick of hearing it! George Bush was an awesome President in certain ways and this man has stayed out of the limelight and not said one damn thing against obama. Why don't you try to follow his lead!

[willow11st]

Gee,Dev-null,what about all the HUMAN family members that were lost fighting in "dumbya"'s phony war,which was based on a LIE!!!

[cptdeuce]

titansurfer7 replies: The Bush family can just go out and buy another Barney but the millions who have lost humans and their life savings can't just go out and buy another one..GET REAL
------------------
Recommend you complain to the new boss - same as the old boss.

[busjosh]

WOW! That this was a really great article then I read your comment! You have to ruin something special because you are pissed off at the world??!! This was not the place for that comment! Grow up, put your big girl/boy panties on and deal with it! Geeesh!

[canislupus16]

Ouch, some of the comments. I didn't vote for 43 (twice) and disagreed with virtually everything he did in office, but the mere fact he had a dog indicates there was some reservoir of humanity to the man.
In any case, sorry to see Barney pass, and condolences to the Bush family. I know they miss him.

[signseeker1717]

With a name like canis lupus, no surprise you would side with the bow-wow crowd (just havin' a little fun with ya).

Of course we've all had pets, all empathize, etc. etc. on THAT score. But boy howdy, when you compare it to the man's record with PEOPLE - whoa - look OUT. This story is going to be a LIGHTENING ROD.

Gang way...

[TimeToRetire]

Showing respect for the office of the President, Barney was shipped to the White House chef.

[unclebernies]

Sad to see Barney pass away at 12. We all had our share of these losses so my condolences to the Bush family.

[bundye]

What? Really?