Sully, Late President Bush's Service Dog, Honored With Statue

COLLEGE STATION, TX — Sully — President George H.W. Bush's loyal service dog who lay dutifully by the 41st president's coffin — has been honored with his own statue, which was unveiled Monday at the George H.W. Bush Presidential Library and Museum in College Station.

The yellow Labrador retriever was honored with a life-size bronze statue created by artist Susan Bahary. According to America's VetDogs, the New York-based organization through which Sully was connected to the president, Bahary spent three months creating the piece for the library.

Sully was apparently excited to see the statue and wagged his tail as he sniffed the piece. The public will be able to see the statue starting Friday, and it will be part of the permanent exhibit at the library's east wing.

The statue shows Sully in a sitting position. He is holding his leash in his mouth, which shows the retrieve task, according to America's VetDogs.

"Both Bahary and VetDogs sought to highlight Sully’s work as a highly trained service dog while also showcasing his devotion and joy in serving the president," America's VetDogs said in a media advisory.

Sully is also shown wearing his official service dog vest with the Great Seal of the United States on the back.

Leading up to the statue's unveiling, Sully also got to attend Sunday's Texans game, where he helped present an Army veteran with his service dog. He also met Texans defensive end J.J. Watt at the game.

Bush took home Sully in June 2018. After Bush's death, Sully returned home to Long Island, where he was honored with a "Welcome Home, Sully" event. After a temporary stay in New York, he was due to join the Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's Facility Dog Program.