RIP Barney Bush: Former President's Dog Dies at Age 12

FILE - In this Feb. 3, 2003 file photo, President Bush slows his pace to wait for his dog Barney as he walks to the Oval Office at the White House in Washington, Monday, Feb. 3, 2003. Barney, former White House Scottish Terrier and star of holiday videos shot during President George W. Bush s administration, has died after suffering from cancer, the former president announced in a statement Friday, Feb. 1, 2013. He was 12. Credit: AP

Former President George W. Bush on Friday announced that his faithful dog, Barney, had passed away at age 12 following his battle with lymphoma.

"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," Bush wrote in a statement. "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."

He went on: "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."

The former president said Barney was by his side during his two terms as president of the United States.

"He never discussed politics and was always a faithful friend.  Laura and I will miss our pal," Bush concluded.

Barney is survived by the Bush family's other Scottish Terrier, Miss Beazley, Politico notes.

BuzzFeed's Andrew Kaczynski has uploaded the following tribute video for Barney:

Featured image via AP