Barbara Bush visits Portland children's hospital

PORTLAND — Barbara Bush and her dog were a hit at the children’s hospital bearing her name.

Mrs. Bush, wife of former President George H.W. Bush and a summer resident of Kennebunkport, read to young patients Thursday at The Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center on Thursday.

She chose “The Best Mouse Cookie” by Laura Numeroff to read to the kids, who afterward had an opportunity to greet and pet her small dog Tess, a Maltese-poodle mix.

The visit also fulfilled a “Live Your Dreams” request of 68-year-old Barbara Wyllie, who’s long wanted to meet the former first lady. Live Your Dreams was created to improve quality of life in Maine’s nursing homes and assisted living facilities with the premise that it’s never too late to reach for our goals.

: Avery Garrison, 3, of Scarborough examines bracelets worn by former first lady Barbara Bush on Thursday at the Barbara Bush Children’s Hospital at Maine Medical Center in Portland. Bush read a children’s book and introduced the patients to her dog during the visit.