Former President Barack Obama and his family are mourning the loss of their dog Sunny, describing her as “pretty much perfect” in a heartfelt tribute shared on social media.
“Yesterday, we lost a cherished member of our family,” Obama wrote in a post on X Wednesday. The Obamas brought Sunny into their lives in 2013, when she was just a year old, joining their first dog, Bo.
“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 said. He recalled that Sunny was “a force of nature,” with boundless energy and a playful spirit that kept the family on their toes.
Sunny and Bo became familiar faces at the White House, often appearing at public events and on the family’s annual holiday card. In 2015, Michelle Obama noted that the two dogs were so popular they had their own official schedules, with the first lady approving their appearances each month.
In his tribute, Obama painted a vivid picture of Sunny’s personality: “Athletic and full of boundless energy, she leapt over the hedges on the South Lawn like they weren’t even there, chasing squirrels, birds and anything else that moved.” Unlike Bo, who was motivated by treats, Sunny preferred interactive play—running, rolling on the floor, or getting belly rubs for as long as anyone would oblige.
Obama also remembered how Sunny adored his daughters, Sasha and Malia, even when they pestered her during naps, and how she would follow staff members around, “helping them on the job.” She was fiercely protective of Bo, who Obama said wasn’t always as alert as she was.
Sunny had her quirks, Obama noted: she preferred people to other dogs, drank loudly and messily, and—despite being a Portuguese water dog—hated getting wet. But to the family, she was “pretty much perfect.”
“For 13 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,” Obama wrote. “We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.”
The Obamas have long been dog lovers, and their pets were a beloved part of their public image. Sunny’s passing comes as the former president has remained active in public life, including urging House Democrats to prioritize AI oversight. The family has not announced plans for a new dog.
