Barack Obama announces death of beloved family dog Sunny
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The beloved Portuguese Water Dog joined the Obama family in 2013 and spent 13 years by their side.
The Obama family is mourning Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dog who spent 13 years as part of their family and became a familiar presence during Barack Obama’s presidency.
Former President Barack Obama announced Sunny’s death Wednesday, saying she died Tuesday, Sept. 15. She was 13.
Sharing the news on Instagram, Obama described Sunny as “a cherished member of our family” and remembered a dog whose personality often seemed larger than life.
“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,” Obama wrote.
Sunny joined the family in 2013, during Obama’s second term, and quickly became a regular fixture around the White House alongside Bo, the family’s first Portuguese Water Dog. The two dogs were frequently photographed on the South Lawn and at White House events.
Obama’s tribute focused less on Sunny’s status as a presidential pet and more on the habits that made her part of the family. He recalled her racing across the South Lawn, jumping over hedges while chasing squirrels and birds, and preferring games and affection over treats.
“She was a force of nature,” Obama wrote, describing Sunny as athletic and “full of boundless energy.”
He also remembered her as protective of Bo and particularly attached to the Obama family’s daughters. Sunny would even follow members of the White House team around while they worked, according to the former president.
Her quirks also earned a place in Obama’s farewell. Despite being a Portuguese Water Dog, a breed associated with water, Sunny reportedly hated getting wet. Obama also joked about her being a loud and sloppy drinker and said she generally preferred people to other dogs, apart from Bo.
The death marks another loss for the Obama family’s longtime canine companions. Bo died in May 2021 at age 12 after being diagnosed with cancer. In his latest tribute, Obama imagined Sunny reunited with him.
“We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay,” he wrote.
No cause of death has been publicly disclosed.
Sunny’s death closes a beloved chapter in the Obama family’s story. From her energetic runs across the South Lawn to the quiet moments at home, she became much more than a presidential pet. She leaves behind 13 years of memories, companionship, and a place that will remain deeply cherished within the family.