The former president and first lady have shared a heartbreaking family update, looking back on 13 years of memories that stretched from the White House to life after Washington. But his emotional announcement came with a poignant reminder of someone who had been by the family\u2019s side through it all.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
On September 16, 2026, Barack and Michelle Obama shared news that the family had suffered a loss the previous day. In an emotional Instagram post, Barack wrote, \u201cWe lost a cherished member of our family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The announcement was accompanied by photographs spanning years of family memories, including moments from the Obamas\u2019 time in the White House.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack and Michelle Obama share a tender moment during their White House years, a period that marked the beginning of the 13-year chapter remembered in their emotional family announcement. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Family Member Who Arrived During Obama\u2019s Second Term<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack explained that the family welcomed the new arrival at the start of his second term in the White House, when life in Washington included presidential duties and two growing daughters.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From the beginning, the newest member of the household quickly made an impression. Barack recalled that the family, including their first dog, Bo, \u201cimmediately fell in love.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The White House described the newcomer as \u201cfull of energy and very affectionate\u201d and said the First Family chose her name because it fit her cheerful personality. Keeping up with the newcomer, however, was another matter.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The family welcomed their newest member during Barack Obama\u2019s second term, adding another lively presence to a household already filled with two growing daughters and their first dog, Bo. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Energy That Took Over the South Lawn<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack remembered an athletic personality with seemingly endless energy, describing the newcomer as \u201ca force of nature.\u201d In his tribute, he recalled how she would leap over the hedges on the South Lawn, chasing squirrels, birds, and anything else that moved.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
While Bo could usually be won over with a treat, the newcomer preferred something more active. She wanted the Obamas to run around with her, roll on the floor, or rub her belly for as long as they were willing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She also adored the Obama daughters, even when they disturbed her naps. Barack said she \u201cloved the girls\u201d and would often follow members of the family\u2019s team around as they worked.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack and Michelle Obama pose with daughters Malia and Sasha during their White House years, when the family was adjusting to life with their growing household and a new four-legged addition. | Source: Getty Images<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She Had a Mischievous Side, Too<\/p>\n\n\n\n
There was another side to that lively personality. In his Instagram tribute, Barack said she was \u201cfiercely protective of Bo,\u201d whom she apparently sensed was not always as alert and attentive as she was. Her popularity soon extended beyond the family, too. In a 2015 report, The Hill quoted Michelle Obama saying, \u201cEverybody wants to see them and take pictures.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle said she even received requests for the pair\u2019s schedules and had to approve their appearances. \u201cI get a memo at the beginning of the month with a request for their schedules, and I have to approve their appearances,\u201d she said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny\u2019s White House Years Were Anything But Quiet<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny, the former presidential family\u2019s beloved Portuguese Water Dog, was born in Michigan in June 2012 and joined the Obama family in August 2013. The White House\u2019s blog, now inaccessible, reportedly noted that she had arrived as a young Portuguese Water Dog, just like Bo, \u201cwhich works great for the Obamas because of allergies in their family.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny, the Obama family\u2019s beloved Portuguese Water Dog, sits inside the White House during her years with the family, when she became known for her lively personality and close bond with Bo. | Source: Instagram\/barackobama<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She was purchased from a breeder, while the Obamas made a donation to the Washington Humane Society in her name when she arrived. According to CNN, Sunny spent four years at the White House, from 2013 to 2017. She traveled with the former First Family aboard Air Force One during annual trips to Hawaii and Martha\u2019s Vineyard.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle later described Sunny in her memoir as \u201ca free-spirited rambler who seemed to see no point in being house-trained, given how big her new house was.\u201d That description had some history behind it. During a holiday event in the year she arrived, Sunny reportedly jumped onto a 2-year-old while Michelle tried to restrain her on a leash.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
From White House Appearances to Famous Visitors<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The pair\u2019s public profile grew as they appeared at events around the White House and became part of the family\u2019s public image. During Pope Francis\u2019 historic 2015 visit, the pontiff met the Obama family inside the residence. According to ABC News, Pope Francis also petted both Sunny and Bo.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The late Pope Francis pets Sunny during his historic 2015 visit to the White House, when the Obama family\u2019s beloved dogs were among the famous visitors they welcomed during their time in Washington. | Source: Instagram\/barackobama<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Their likenesses later appeared in the Obamas\u2019 final Christmas decorations at the White House. Oversized replicas made from 25,000 yarn pom-poms were displayed in the East Wing hallway.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The decorations even captured their different markings, with Bo depicted with white paws and a white chest while Sunny was shown entirely in black. Sunny also crossed paths with other famous figures during her life, including Barefoot Contessa star Ina Garten.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even Barack and Michelle Couldn\u2019t Always Keep Up With Her<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack discussed Sunny\u2019s early days with the family during a 2013 CNN interview, explaining that Bo had seemed to be getting a little down before she arrived. \u201cBo was starting to look a little down in the dumps,\u201d Barack said. \u201cSunny, the new dog, she\u2019s only a year old. And the truth is, she\u2019s faster than he is. She jumps higher. She\u2019s friskier.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He acknowledged that house-training was still a work in progress. \u201cThere have been a couple of accidents,\u201d Barack said. \u201cWe live in rental housing. We didn\u2019t put down a deposit. We\u2019re making sure it gets cleaned up for the next occupant.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny runs through the White House during her years with the Obama family, offering a glimpse of the energetic personality Barack later recalled as being faster, friskier, and harder to keep up with than Bo. | Source: Instagram\/barackobama<\/p>\n\n\n\n
By 2016, Sunny\u2019s habits were still giving Barack reason to keep an eye on her. Speaking to PEOPLE for the Obamas\u2019 2016 cover story, Michelle called Sunny a \u201cwonderful dog\u201d but said she sometimes caught her doing her business near the Lincoln Bedroom and her office.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny rests on a bed with a stuffed toy beside her, a later glimpse of the beloved dog whose playful habits remained part of the Obama family\u2019s memories long after her White House years. | Source: Instagram\/barackobama<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack recalled what happened when he noticed her sneaking away. He said:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cShe knows that she\u2019s doing something wrong because she\u2019ll run and sneak [past me]. Sometimes I\u2019ll be in my office, and I\u2019m doing my work, and I\u2019ll see this like scurrying \u2013 and I got to get up and run before she does her thing because if I\u2019m too late, then there\u2019s a little gift that she leaves.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Hill had previously reported Michelle describing another version of the same problem:<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cSunny can be naughty. Because you know what she does sometimes? She leaves the kitchen, and she\u2019ll sneak, and she\u2019ll go poop on the other end of the White House.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Despite those White House antics, Sunny remained deeply loved by the family.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Sunny was known for her playful, high-energy personality, and her mischievous streak sometimes had her sneaking away from Barack when she needed to be watched. | Source: Instagram\/barackobama<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Thirteen Years Later, the Goodbye<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In his September 16 tribute, Barack stated that despite her eccentricities, \u201cAs far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect, and for thirteen years, she would be by our side.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He described her as \u201calways loyal, always sweet, always ready for adventure, still fiery and gorgeous till the very end of her days.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe will miss her terribly, and imagine she\u2019s with her big brother now, making sure he\u2019s okay,\u201d the former president concluded his tribute.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Final Tribute Brings an Outpouring of Sympathy<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack\u2019s announcement quickly drew messages from people who had followed Sunny\u2019s story over the years. One commenter wrote, \u201cIf you want to know the character of humans look to how they treat animals. Rest easy sweet pup.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Another commenter said, \u201cAmerica can no take no more loss of our icons this year.\u201d A third commenter wrote, \u201cLove it \u2764\ufe0ftribute to first dog of america [sic].\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
And another person offered their sympathy, saying, \u201cSo very sorry for your loss\u2026the toughest thing owning our furry ones is losing them.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Barack\u2019s reference to Sunny\u2019s \u201cbig brother\u201d also brought the story back to another beloved member of the Obama family \u2014 Bo \u2014 whose death preceded hers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The Goodbye That Came Before Sunny<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bo, another Portuguese Water Dog, joined the family after Barack promised Malia and Sasha they would get a puppy following the 2008 election. In his May 2021 tribute, Barack said, \u201cToday our family lost a true friend and loyal companion. For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives \u2014 happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Bo had \u201ca big bark but no bite,\u201d the former president wrote, adding that he loved jumping in the pool, was \u201cunflappable with children,\u201d lived for scraps from the dinner table, and \u201chad great hair.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Michelle\u2019s 2021 Instagram tribute revealed, \u201cThis afternoon was a difficult one for our family. We said goodbye to our best friend \u2014 our dog, Bo\u2014after a battle with cancer.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
She remembered him greeting Malia and Sasha when they came home from school, wandering into her and Barack\u2019s offices with a ball in his mouth and joining the family for major White House occasions.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
During the pandemic, Michelle Obama said Bo was especially happy to have everyone back under one roof. The family remained grateful that he had lived \u201csuch a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
For the Obamas, Sunny\u2019s death marks the loss of another beloved companion who became part of their family history. For those who watched her grow from a White House newcomer into a familiar figure, Barack\u2019s tribute offered a final glimpse of the personality behind the photographs.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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