Barack and Michelle Obama are mourning the death of Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dog who joined their family during Barack Obama’s second term in the White House.
The former president and first lady announced Wednesday that Sunny died on September 15. In a joint Instagram tribute, they looked back on 13 years with a dog they remembered as athletic, energetic, fiercely loyal and always ready to play.
Sunny joined the family in August 2013 as a companion for Bo and quickly developed a personality of her own. She raced around the South Lawn, chased squirrels and birds, followed White House staff as they worked and preferred getting people to play with her over being offered treats.
The Obamas described Sunny as “pretty much perfect” and ended their tribute by imagining her reunited with Bo, who died from cancer in 2021. “We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay,” they wrote.
The Obamas Remembered Sunny as a ‘Force of Nature’
The family remembered Sunny as a dog whose energy could be difficult to match. She leapt over hedges on the South Lawn while chasing anything that moved and would rather have someone run around with her, roll on the floor or rub her belly than offer her the treats that usually won over Bo.
Sunny was particularly attached to Malia and Sasha, even when they disturbed her naps, and regularly followed members of the family’s staff around while they worked. The Obamas also remembered her as fiercely protective of Bo, whom they joked was not always as alert or attentive as his younger companion.
She had several quirks that stayed with her throughout her life. Sunny preferred people to other dogs apart from Bo, drank water loudly and messily and disliked getting wet despite being a Portuguese Water Dog. Michelle Obama also previously revealed that Sunny occasionally had accidents inside the White House.
Sunny Joined the Obama Family at the White House in 2013
Sunny arrived at the White House on August 19, 2013, four years after Bo became the family’s first dog. The Obama Foundation archive preserves photographs from her first day, including images of Sunny and Bo playing together on the South Lawn and Barack Obama spending time with the new puppy.
Born in Michigan in June 2012, Sunny was the same breed as Bo. Portuguese Water Dogs had been a good fit for the family because of allergy concerns, and the White House introduced Sunny to the public with footage of the two dogs racing around the lawn together.
Sunny soon became a familiar part of the Obama White House. She appeared in family portraits, greeted visitors, joined holiday events and met Pope Francis during his September 2015 visit. She and Bo were also represented by oversized replicas made from thousands of yarn pom-poms during the family’s final White House Christmas.
Sunny Remained Close to Bo Throughout Their Years Together
The Obamas said Sunny was protective of Bo from the beginning, and the two appeared together throughout the family’s remaining years in Washington. PEOPLE noted that photographs shared with the tribute included moments from Sunny’s White House years as well as later years with the family.
Bo died in May 2021 after being diagnosed with cancer. Barack Obama described him at the time as a constant and gentle presence who had been there through the family’s years in the White House and the transition back to private life.
Sunny remained with the family for another five years. In their farewell, the Obamas remembered her as loyal, sweet and adventurous throughout her life, adding that she remained “fiery and gorgeous till the very end of her days.”
