Obama mourns family dog Sunny

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Former United States President, Barack Obama, has announced the death of Sunny, the Portuguese Water Dog that was part of his family for 13 years.

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Obama disclosed Sunny’s death in a post on X on Wednesday, describing her as an energetic and affectionate member of the Obama family.

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Sunny joined the Obama family at the beginning of his second term in the White House, where she became a companion to the former president, his family and their first dog, Bo.

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Known for her high energy, Sunny regularly ran across the White House grounds, including jumping over the hedges on the South Lawn while chasing squirrels, birds and other moving objects.

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Unlike Bo, who was often motivated by treats, Sunny preferred playing and spending time with the family. She was particularly fond of the Obama daughters and frequently stayed close to members of the family’s team.

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Obama also recalled Sunny’s protective nature towards Bo, saying she appeared to recognise that her older companion was not always as alert as she was.

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He began his tribute by recalling how Sunny joined the family and quickly became a beloved member of the household.

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He wrote, “Yesterday, we lost a cherished member of our family.

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“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. 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, chasing squirrels, birds and anything else that moved. And whereas the way to Bo’s heart usually involved a treat, 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.”

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Obama went on to describe Sunny’s close relationship with his daughters and the family’s team, as well as the bond she shared with Bo.

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He said Sunny was not merely a companion in the household but also displayed a protective side towards Bo, whom she appeared to regard as less alert and attentive than herself. He also recalled several of her distinctive habits, which became part of her personality within the family.

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He wrote, “She loved the girls, even if they were pestering her when she was napping. She loved our team, and would often follow them around, helping them on the job. She was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was. 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.”

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Reflecting on Sunny’s 13 years with the family, Obama said her loyalty, affection and adventurous spirit remained constant until the end of her life.

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He described her as “pretty much perfect” from the family’s perspective and recalled how she remained by their side through the years.

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He wrote, “But as far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect, 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.

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“We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.”

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