Obama Announces Death of Beloved White House Dog Sunny at 14
A constant fixture of the Obama White House passed away this week. President Barack Obama announced on Wednesday that their beloved family dog died at the age of 14. This is what the president had to say about his pup.
Former President Obama Announces Passing of Beloved Dog Sunny
Sunny first arrived at the White House during President Obama's second term in 2013. The Portuguese water dog joined big brother Bo running around the South Lawn and delighting visitors with her boundless energy. Obama described Sunny this week as a "cherished member of our family."
Sunny lived in the White House from 2013 until 2017, before moving in with her family at a private residence in Washington, D.C. Like Sunny, Bo was also a Portuguese water dog. Sunny and Bo were frequently seen joining the first family for trips on Air Force One and on vacations to Martha's Vineyard and Hawaii.
From all accounts, Sunny was the more rambunctious of the pair of dogs that lived in the White House at this time. Former first lady Michelle Obama detailed in her memoir that Sunny was “a free-spirited rambler who seemed to see no point in being house-trained, given how big her new house was.”
The former president remembered Sunny fondly in a social media post on Wednesday. Obama said that Sunny "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." He went on to say that “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."
Sunny was born in Michigan in 2012. Although the Obamas purchased the dog from a breeder, they made a monetary donation to the Washington Humane Society in Sunny’s name to show their support for shelters. Bo was received as a gift in 2009 from Sen. Ted Kennedy.
The fluffy back pooch was a constant companion to Obama's two daughters. She also earned a notorious reputation for having accidents in the halls of the White House. As Obama said himself, “There have been a couple of accidents. We live in rental housing. We didn’t put down a deposit. We’re making sure it gets cleaned up for the next occupant.”
Bo and Sunny are not the only pets to have graced the halls of the White House. George W. Bush’s brought his Scottish terrier, Barney, to the new digs. Bill Clinton’s chocolate Labrador Buddy was best known for his contentious relationship with the family cat Socks.
There are no pets at the White House under current President Donald Trump.
Sunny's Role as an Ambassador
Sunny was an unofficial ambassador for the Obama administration. Michelle Obama wrote in her book that the pair of dogs were “excellent ambassadors, imperious to criticism and unaware of their own fame.”
The Obamas detailed that Sunny loved being walked around the White House grounds early in the morning by superintendent Dale Haney. She was known for her friendliness around reporters, always welcoming the attention.
One of the most famous photos of Sunny's time in office came when Pope Francis visited the nation's capital on September 23, 2015. The Obamas introduced the head of the Catholic Church to the two dogs in the Blue Room after his State Arrival Ceremony on the White House South Lawn.
Both dogs remained in the White House until Obama's time in office was over. The couple credits the dog for helping them to adjust to the empty nest life when their two daughters went off to college.
Bo passed away at the age of 12 in 2021. On Wednesday, Obama wrote that Sunny "was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was. We will miss her terribly and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.”
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