VOA · What's Trending Today?
Intermediate · B1–B2learner speed3:372018-12-04public domain
What's Trending Today? covers viral stories and social media moments in short, punchy reports. The episodes are brief and topical — perfect for a quick daily dictation session.
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01The body of America's 41st President, George H.W.
02Bush, has been placed inside the U.S.
03Capitol Building.
04People began lining up in the early morning hours Tuesday for the chance to honor Bush, who died Friday at the age of 94.
05All day, thousands of people walked by his flag-covered casket.
06Alongside them was someone that came into Bush's life only recently, his service dog, Sully.
07Bush received Sully in June from America's Vet Dogs, an organization that trains dogs to help war veterans and active military members.
08Bush was a pilot for the U.S.
09Navy during World War II.
10His plane was shot down during a bombing mission over the Pacific Ocean.
11Later in his life, he developed a form of Parkinson's disease.
12He used a wheelchair in his final years.
13Sully, a two-year-old yellow Labrador retriever, helped the former president do things such as open and close doors, pick up objects, and seek help if needed.
14Bush's dog was a wonderful companion, said Bush aide Evan Sisley.
15Bush got Sully just two months after the death of his wife of 73 years.
16Barbara Bush died in April at the age of 92.
17Sully has remained by Bush's side since his death Friday.
18On Sunday night, Bush spokesman Jim McGrath shared an emotional photo of the loyal dog lying on the ground in front of Bush's casket.
19Mission completed, McGrath wrote, along with the hashtag Remembering41.
20The image has been shared more than 65,000 times.
21When Bush first got Sully, he wrote about the dog on Twitter.
22He said, A great joy to welcome home the newest member of our family, Sully, a beautiful and beautifully trained Lab from America's Vet Dogs.
23Could not be more grateful.
24America's Vet Dogs says Sully will soon begin working at Walter Reed National Military Medical Center's facility dog program.
25The medical center is just outside of Washington, D.C.
26There, Sully will help wounded soldiers as they go through physical therapy and other treatments.
27George W.
28Bush, America's 43rd president and son of George H.
29W.
30Bush, made note this week of the happiness Sully brought to his father.
31The younger Bush wrote on Instagram, As much as our family is going to miss this dog, we're comforted to know he'll bring the same joy to his new home, Walter Reed, that he brought to 41.
32And that's what's trending today.
33I'm Ashley Thompson.
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