Barack Obama Mourns Death of Beloved Family Dog Sunny
Michelle Obama Details How Her Life Would Look Without Barack Obama Marriage
The Obama family is mourning one of their own.
Barack Obama shared that he, as well as Michelle Obama and their daughters Malia, 28, and Sasha, 25, lost their beloved dog Sunny, who died at 13 on Sept. 14.
“We will miss her terribly,” Barack wrote on Instagram Sept. 15 alongside photos of the Portuguese water dog," and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.”
The Obamas' presidential pups Bo—who was adopted in 2009 and died in 2021— and Sunny were both an integral part of the family’s time in The White House, but Sunny certainly shook things up when she joined the administration.
“We got Sunny at the start of our second term in the White House, and all of us—including our first dog, Bo—immediately fell in love,” Barack wrote. “We also had trouble keeping up with her, for Sunny was a force of nature.”
"Athletic and full of boundless energy, she leapt over the hedges on the South Lawn like they weren’t even there,” he continued, "chasing squirrels, birds and anything else that moved.”
And when Bo began slowing down in his later years, Sunny was his guiding light until his final breath.
“She was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was,” the 65-year-old explained. “She had her eccentricities: other than Bo, she preferred people to dogs; she was a loud and sloppy drinker; and despite being a Portuguese Water Dog, she hated getting wet.”
And trust, it was Sunny that was pushing the Let’s Move! campaign in the Obama household.
Instagram/Barack Obama
“Whereas the way to Bo’s heart usually involved a treat,” he added, “Sunny was more interested in having us run around with her, roll on the floor with her, or have her belly rubbed for as long as we were willing.”
And while Sunny caused her fair share of mischief, she had a soft spot for Sasha and Malia.
“She loved the girls, even if they were pestering her when she was napping,” he wrote. “She loved our team, and would often follow them around, helping them on the job.”
“As far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect,” he added, “and for thirteen years, she would be by our side—always loyal, always sweet, always ready for adventure, still fiery and gorgeous till the very end of her days.”
For more presidential pets who pulled at the country’s heartstrings, keep reading…
Michael Reynolds/EPA/Bloomberg via Getty Images
Joe and Jill Biden's Dog Commander
The 46th President was gifted German Shepherd Commander for his birthday in 2021 by his brother and sister-in-law James and Sara Biden.
In 2023, Commander was moved out of the White House after several biting incidents.
@FLOTUS / Twitter
Joe and Jill Biden's Cat Willow
The Bidens adopted Willow into the White House in January 2022. Willow was named after First Lady Dr. Jill Biden's hometown of Willow Grove, Penn.
Twitter / Jill Biden
Jill Biden, Champ and Major
President Joe Biden's wife Jill Biden appears with their German Shepherds in a 2020 election campaign photo.
Unfortunately, Champ sadly passed away in June 2021 at the age of 13 while Major was rehomed to a quieter environment with family friends.
Facebook / Delaware Humane Association
Joe Biden and Major
The President appears with his rescue dog at the Delaware Humane Association headquarters in 2018. Major was the first shelter dog in the White House.
Pete Souza/The White House via Getty Images
Barack Obama, Family and Bo and Sunny
The President appears with First Lady Michelle Obama, daughters Sasha Obama and Malia Obama and their Portuguese Water Dogs in the Rose Garden of the White House in 2015.
Martin H. Simon-Pool/Getty Images
Barack Obama and Bo
The President pets his family's Portuguese Water Dog, their first White House pet, at the White House in 2012.
Duane A. Laverty-Pool/Getty Images
George W. Bush and Barney
The President carries his dog near his ranch in Crawford, Texas in 2003.
Brooks Kraft LLC/Sygma via Getty Images
George W. Bush and Ernie
The President plays with his family's cat at the Governor's Mansion in Austin, Texas before they moved to the White House.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Bill Clinton and Socks
The President carries his family's cat on the grounds on the White House in 1993.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Socks the Cat
The First Cat overlooks the Oval Office from his perch at the presidential desk.
Smith Collection/Gado/Getty Images
Bill Clinton and Buddy
The President appears with his family's dog outside the White House in 1999.
David Hume Kennerly/Getty Images
George H.W. Bush and Millie
The President and First Lady Barbara Bush ride with their dog on a golf cart at their home at Walker's Point in Kennebunkport, Maine, in 2004. Millie lived with them at the White House. He served as U.S. leader between 1989 and 1993.
White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
George H.W. Bush and Ranger
The President sits with his granddaughter, Marshall, and one of his dogs in this undated picture.
Pete Souza/Pictorial Parade/Archive Photos/Getty Images
Ronald Reagan and Rex
The President presents wife Nancy Reagan with an early Christmas present: A King Charles Cavalier Spaniel.
White House/The LIFE Picture Collection via Getty Images
Ronald Reagan and Pets
The President and First Lady Nancy Reagan pose with one of their dogs and kittens at Rancho del Cielo, their vacation home near Santa Barbara, Calif., in the '80s.
AP/Shutterstock
Jimmy Carter and Grits
The President plays with his family's dog on the South Lawn of the White House in 1978.
Jim Pozarik/Liaison/Getty Images
Gerald Ford
The President plays with one of his golden retrievers in 1976.
Bettmann/Getty Images
Lyndon B. Johnson and Yuki
Yuki is believed to be the first rescue dog to live at the White House. Johnson's daughter Luci found him at a Texas gas station in 1966. Here he is photo-bombing the President as he signs a bill in 1967.
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