# First Dog Barney - is in doggie heaven. **URL:** \ **Category:** Miscellaneous and Personal Stuff I Must Share\ **Created:** [February 2, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089 "2013-02-02T01:21:11Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 17\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 1:21am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/1 "2013-02-02T01:21:11Z")
The little guy only made it to 12. I always thought he was such a pretty dog. I hadn’t seen many black Scottish terrier before Barney entered the White House. R.I.P. little feller. [http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/former-first-dog-barney-bush-passes-away-at-age-12.html/](http://trailblazersblog.dallasnews.com/2013/02/former-first-dog-barney-bush-passes-away-at-age-12.html/) “A dog has one aim in life… to bestow his heart.” – J.R. Ackerley ---
**Author:** ![miss\_elizabeth](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/838e76/32.png) [@miss\_elizabeth](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/miss_elizabeth)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:09am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/2 "2013-02-02T03:09:17Z")
Damn. A few years ago I would have said there was nothing that could make me feel empathy and kindness towards George W. Bush, but looking at some old pics of him holding Barney, I do. He obviously loved the dog very much, and I’m utterly shocked to see the former president was a decent painter. RIP Barney. You were a cute dog. ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:16am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/3 "2013-02-02T03:16:35Z")
Ah damn. First Ed Koch, now Barney. RIP, little fella. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![DoctorJ](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/doctorj/32/2904_2.png) [@DoctorJ](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/DoctorJ)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:48am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/4 "2013-02-02T03:48:48Z")
At the risk of bursting into flames after saying something nice about the guy–to my untrained eye, his painting of Barney is pretty good. Especially considering that he has only been painting for a year or so. ---
**Author:** ![billfish678](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/b/7bcc69/32.png) [@billfish678](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/billfish678)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 3:50am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/5 "2013-02-02T03:50:45Z")
My condolences to the Bush folks. It is kinda funny in sad sort of way that folks that could be honestly called leaders of the free world have to deal with the death of their dog just like some otherwise nice meth heads from a trailer park. RIP Barney Now, myself I personally look foward to a president that is hetrosexual, single, and has just a cat (preferably siamese). Now thats a prez that will kick ass and take names. ---
**Author:** ![Absolute](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/a/b2d939/32.png) [@Absolute](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Absolute)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/6 "2013-02-02T04:10:15Z")
Lymphoma, the article says. Poor little guy. I find it rather interesting that Bush signs his paintings “43”. ---
**Author:** ![aceplace57](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/aceplace57/32/3500_2.png) [@aceplace57](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/aceplace57)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 4:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/7 "2013-02-02T04:10:38Z")
[This photo](http://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=501937816515282&set=a.501937216515342.128699.114546728587728&type=3&src=https%3A%2F%2Fsphotos-a.xx.fbcdn.net%2Fhphotos-ash3%2F58218_501937816515282_120689781_n.jpg&size=960%2C640) of Barney is cute. 😃 [Barney](https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=501937753181955&set=a.501937216515342.128699.114546728587728&type=3&theater) and the blue jay. I might get a Scottish terrier someday. Cute dogs. Keeping them groomed might get expensive. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 4:28am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/8 "2013-02-02T04:28:29Z")
We have been Barney fans since he was in the WH (my wife and I own Scotties as well) and this is a sad day for us. We gave Mackie some extra hugs tonight… ---
**Author:** ![Rhiannon8404](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/rhiannon8404/32/17929_2.png) [@Rhiannon8404](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Rhiannon8404)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 4:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/9 "2013-02-02T04:40:49Z")
It’s so sad to lose a pet. Condolences to the Bush family. Rest in Peace, little Barney. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 1:17pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/10 "2013-02-02T13:17:02Z")
> [@miss\_elizabeth](#): > > Damn. A few years ago I would have said there was nothing that could make me feel empathy and kindness towards George W. Bush, but looking at some old pics of him holding Barney, I do. He obviously loved the dog very much, and I’m utterly shocked to see the former president was a decent painter. > > RIP Barney. You were a cute dog. You know _who else_ was a decent painter…? Finally! Got to say it! Now my life is complete… ---
**Author:** ![Siam\_Sam](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/d78d45/32.png) [@Siam\_Sam](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Siam_Sam)\ **Post date:** [February 2, 2013, 1:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/11 "2013-02-02T13:24:23Z")
> [@Siam\_Sam](#): > > Ah damn. First Ed Koch, now Barney. > > RIP, little fella. ☹ Oh, and RIP Barney, too. ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 12:22am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/12 "2013-02-03T00:22:08Z")
I remember watching a clip of the annual event where the President and First Lady _Twas the Night Before Christmas_ to a group of kids, and all of a sudden, Barney came running in and the kids were all so excited. He was so cute and friendly. That sucks for the Bush family. ☹ ---
**Author:** ![InternetLegend](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/internetlegend/32/13154_2.png) [@InternetLegend](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/InternetLegend)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 12:38am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/13 "2013-02-03T00:38:44Z")
Regardless of my feelings about his presidency, I feel sincerely sorry for him and his family. It’s tough to lose a beloved pet. > [@JohnT](#): > > You know _who else_ was a decent painter…? > > Finally! Got to say it! Now my life is complete… _Damn_ you! I was holding my breath to see if I’d get there first. ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/14 "2013-02-03T02:23:43Z")
You know _who else_ loved their dog…? 😛 ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 3, 2013, 2:26am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/15 "2013-02-03T02:26:24Z")
You know _[who](http://4.bp.blogspot.com/_m42tZ2juZNg/SDAQIYVUROI/AAAAAAAABSc/sX0rkDA97Tk/s400/Picture+26.png) [else](http://i.dailymail.co.uk/i/pix/2011/03/10/article-1364687-0D8DD8AB000005DC-323_306x284.jpg)_ had Scottish Terriers? All right, this is getting a little creepy… :eek: ---
**Author:** ![Guinastasia](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/guinastasia/32/5751_2.png) [@Guinastasia](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Guinastasia)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 3:25am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/16 "2013-02-04T03:25:07Z")
[Yep](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/3/37/FDR_and_Fala_at_table.jpg) ---
**Author:** ![JohnT](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnt/32/15048_2.png) [@JohnT](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/JohnT)\ **Post date:** [February 4, 2013, 3:40am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/first-dog-barney-is-in-doggie-heaven/649089/17 "2013-02-04T03:40:41Z")
[No doubt](http://www.scottishterriernews.com/wp-content/uploads/2010/10/Screen-shot-2010-10-07-at-7.24.59-PM.png). The lesson is: if you elect a leader who has a Scottish Terrier, you’re pretty much declaring war. 😉