Thirteen years after joining the Obama family, the beloved Portuguese Water Dog Sunny, who spent years as one of the official White House pets during Barack Obama’s presidency, has passed away, the former U.S. president confirmed in a public announcement.
In a heartfelt post shared to X on Wednesday, Obama mourned the loss of what he called a core, cherished member of his family. He described Sunny as a steadfast, loyal companion who remained by the family’s side through every stage of her life, noting that from the moment she joined the Obamas in early 2013, at the start of his second presidential term, the entire family fell in love immediately.
Sunny was one of two Portuguese Water Dogs that called the White House residence home during the Obama administration. The first, Bo, was gifted to Obama’s daughters Sasha and Malia in 2009, shortly after Obama’s first inauguration, to help the young girls adjust to their new life in the executive mansion. Bo preceded Sunny in death, passing away in 2021, and Obama noted that Sunny is now reunited with her “big brother.”
During her years in the White House, Sunny gained widespread public attention and met dozens of high-profile figures, ranging from foreign heads of state to Pope Francis. In a notable 2015 meeting, both Sunny and Bo greeted the pontiff during his visit to the White House in the residence’s Blue Room. Beyond official meetings, she was a regular fixture at White House community events, including annual Christmas parties where she interacted with young visitors.
Reflecting on Sunny’s vibrant personality, Obama shared warm, playful memories of his late dog. He remembered her as a creature of endless energy, who would clear the South Lawn hedges in a single leap as if the green barriers did not exist at all. Her favorite moments were unplanned, quiet joys: running around with family members, rolling across the floor, and having her belly rubbed for extended stretches, no matter how long the family was willing to stay. Even when Sasha and Malia bothered her during naps, she adored the girls, and she often trailed behind the Obama household staff, “helping” them complete their daily work. Obama also added two playful, affectionate quirks: Sunny was a notoriously loud and sloppy drinker, and despite being a water dog by breed, she hated getting wet.
“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,” Obama wrote, adding that the entire family would miss her beyond measure.
Pete Souza, the former official White House photographer who documented the Obama administration for eight years, also shared a tribute, calling it an honor to photograph Sunny during her time at 1600 Pennsylvania Avenue. He noted that Sunny held the rare distinction of being petted by both a sitting U.S. president and the Pope, and was always a willing, approachable subject for photographs.
Sunny’s death adds a new chapter to the long, well-documented tradition of presidential pets at the White House, a custom that stretches back to the earliest days of the United States presidency. Over the past century, every U.S. president except Donald Trump has kept at least one pet during their time in office.