This is the only image of the memorializing of George HW Bush that makes me want to cry.

[catbyte]

Link to tweet

Sully, the yellow lab service dog who took care of the late 41st president of the United States accompanies his master’s casket, his last duty. This is the only image of the memorializing of George Bush that makes me cry. #MondayMorning

8:23 AM - Dec 3, 2018

[lapfog_1]

1. My one and only comment on GHWB passing

That's a very touching photo.

I hope it wasn't staged.

[virgogal]

2. Of course it was staged.

The Chimp probably staged it.

[AwakeAtLast]

3. Dogs are good people.

[Raine]

4. I did cry

I cry every time I see it animals are so loyal and loving. ?

[LuvNewcastle]

5. It seems like dogs

only see the best in their humans. Either that, or they’re the most forgiving animals on Earth.

[kskiska]

6. He had the dog for less than 6 months.

(excerpt)

There’s nothing wrong with applying sentimentality when it comes to family pets reacting to their owners’ deaths. There’s even some preliminary evidence from the small field of “comparative thanatology” that animals notice death, and that some may even experience an emotion we might compare to grief. But Sully is not a longtime Bush family pet, letting go of the only master he has known. He is an employee who served for less than six months.

https://slate.com/human-interest/2018/12/sully-hw-bush-service-dog-george-hw-bush-funeral.html

[catbyte]

9. Wow, and they couldn't have developed a bond in 6 months? That's cold.

[llmart]

10. The bond is more one of employer/employee at that stage.

The dog has been trained to perform certain tasks for their "employer". They know that when the harness or pack is placed on their back they are in working mode. Less than six months it seems like the bond isn't yet one of owner/pet since it's quite likely that they have already spent their first year or two with the raiser/trainer.

I've raised and trained service dogs. I received the puppy when it was six weeks old and it lived with me for one year and three months and then I gave it up to the school for further professional training. The dog's bond was with me for all that period, but by the time it went back to the school and was issued to a person as a fully trained service dog, the dog understands that it has a job to do.

If the dog is with the person for years they of course do develop a bond more like a companion/pet, but I don't think that at less than six months it has that deep attachment other than knowing they have a job to perform for that person.

It's just my perspective having raised service dogs, trained service dogs, and volunteered for eleven years at the organization in many capacities.

[peekaloo]

7. Makes for a much better photo op than Dumbya dropping Barney on a tarmac.

The CBS commentators were doing a mournful voice over for the dog yesterday and as if on cue the dog yawned.

Labs are the sweetest!

[nuxvomica]

8. For all his faults, GHW did have moments of innocence

I think that most people move between states of innocence and corruption and Bush's love of animals indicates he could express innocence at times. That's what worries me about Trump. He seems to never leave the state of corruption, even for a moment. Recall how he ridiculed Pence for bringing a pet rabbit to Washington. Even Hitler loved animals, but Trump?