Obama's dog, Sunny, dies: 'We lost a cherished member of our family
Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama announced the death of Sunny, their Portuguese water dog who spent years in the White House.
Sunny, the Portuguese water dog who spent years as a high-profile resident of the presidential mansion and a fixture of the Obama administration, has died at the age of Wjla. Former President Barack Obama and former First Lady Michelle Obama announced the passing of their beloved pet in joint social media posts, describing the animal as a cherished member of their household who remained vibrant, loyal, and full of life until the end of her days.
According to Abcnews, the family welcomed Sunny in 2013 at the beginning of the second presidential term. She joined Bo, a male Portuguese water dog given to the family in 2009 by the late Senator Ted Kennedy, as reported by Huffpost. Bo died in 2021 after a battle with cancer, as noted by USA Today.
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In his tribute shared on social media, the former president characterized Sunny as a force of nature who possessed boundless energy. As detailed by Yahoo News, she routinely leapt over the hedges on the South Lawn as if they were not there, chasing birds and squirrels. While Bo could often be motivated by treats, Sunny preferred active playtime, belly rubs, and rolling on the floor Katu.
The family dog also exhibited several distinct eccentricities. Despite belonging to a water-retrieving breed, Sunny notoriously disliked getting wet, and she was known around the residence as a loud and sloppy drinker Mercurynews. Furthermore, she preferred human company over other dogs—excluding Bo—and was fiercely protective of her canine companion, sensing that he was not always as alert as she was nbc4i.com. She also loved daughters Malia and Sasha, even when they interrupted her naps, and frequently followed staff members around to assist with their jobs Revolt TV.
| Family Pet | Breed | Arrival Year | Departure / Passing |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bo | Portuguese Water Dog | 2009 | May 2021 |
| Sunny | Portuguese Water Dog | 2013 | September 2026 |
During their tenure in the executive mansion, both dogs maintained a demanding public schedule. Former First Lady Michelle Obama explained that the pets' appearances required formal monthly scheduling memos, given the intense public interest New York Post. The dogs participated in holiday celebrations, welcomed tourists, and met high-profile visitors, including Pope Francis in the Oval Office in 2015 Lehigh Daily. Former White House photographer Pete Souza recalled working with Sunny as an honor, noting she had the rare distinction of being petted by both a president and a pope Yahoo News.
Public life also brought occasional missteps. Archives note that Sunny experienced moments of overexuberance, including an incident involving a young visitor during a holiday decoration event and another instance where she nipped an 18-year-old family friend New York Post. Michelle Obama once revealed that Sunny had a mischievous side, occasionally sneaking off to leave messes on the opposite end of the White House New York Post. Security concerns also surfaced during her time in office, including an arrest of an individual who traveled to Washington with intentions to kidnap one of the dogs New York Post.
Following the family's departure from the White House, Sunny continued living with the Obamas. In announcing her death, the former president reflected on the pet's enduring presence in their lives.
The former president closed his tribute by writing that the family imagines Sunny is now reunited with her big brother, ensuring he is looked after Yahoo News Singapore. No cause of death was publicly disclosed USA Today.
