The Obama family are mourning the loss of one of their own – one of their two beloved White House dogs, Sunny.
When Barack Obama ran for the United States presidency back in 2008, he'd promised to his daughters Malia and Sasha on the campaign trail that he'd bring home a puppy for them.
© Getty ImagesThe Obama family pets
In 2009, the new First Family was gifted a Portuguese Water Dog named Bo by Senator Ted Kennedy, who affectionately became known as the "First Dog." The choice of pet was made to accommodate Malia's allergies, therefore going for a hypoallergenic breed. In 2013, they acquired a second Portuguese Water Dog, this time a female they named Sunny.
Bo passed away in 2021. And on September 16, Barack and Michelle revealed on social media that Sunny had passed away the day prior at the age of 14.
Barack and Michelle's tribute to Sunny
"Yesterday, we lost a cherished member of our family," the Obamas' tribute began. "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," it continued. "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."
© InstagramSunny was especially close with Malia and Sasha, and also deeply loved her older brother Bo. "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," Barack quipped.
© InstagramThe tribute went on to say that despite all her quirks and eccentricities, to the Obamas, she was as "perfect" as they came. "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."
"We will miss her terribly, and imagine she's with her big brother now, making sure he's okay."
© InstagramUnited States presidential pets
Bo and Sunny were part of a legacy of United States presidential pets that were synonymous with the White House residents, most recently including the Bidens' German Shepherds Champ and Major.
They adopted a third named Commander, who was re-homed after a number of biting incidents, and in 2022, they brought home a tabby cat named Willow.
