Bush saddened as dutiful Spot is put down aged 14

Published on 23/02/2004 00:00

SPOT, George Bush’s beloved pet dog, often seen welcoming the United States president back to the White House, has died. She was 14.

The brown and white English springer spaniel, whose full name was Spot "Spotty" Fetcher, was put down on Saturday after suffering a series of strokes.The English springer spaniel, who had remained eager to please despite increasing health troubles, died on Saturday.

George Bush and his wife, Laura, went along with a vet’s recommendation to put Spot to sleep, according to White House spokesman Allen Abney.

"The president and Mrs Bush and the entire Bush family are deeply saddened by the passing of Spot," said Scott McClellan, the White House press secretary, in a statement. "A loyal and loving companion, Spot was a beloved member of the Bush family for nearly 15 years. She will be missed."

Spot was born in the White House to Millie, the well-known dog of Mr Bush’s parents, the former president, George Bush snr, and his wife, Barbara, in 1989.

The friendly spaniel was regularly seen ambling around the West Wing and the South Lawn alongside the family’s more energetic other dog, Barney, a black, three-year-old Scottish terrier. The two dogs were the only witnesses to the president’s fainting spell after he choked on a pretzel in January 2002 while watching an American football game.

The dogs were routinely brought out to greet the president upon his return to the White House from trips and often travelled with the Bushes to Texas or Camp David.

Spot was always the more obedient, dutifully clambering on to a helicopter or Air Force One with no prompting while Mr Bush often had to chase Barney down and hand him over to an aide.

Mrs Bush has often said playing with the dogs and the family’s much more reclusive cat, Willy, make up a significant portion of the First Couple’s entertainment.

The family also has a pet Longhorn cow called Ophelia.