Advertisement
Barack Obama mourns beloved dog Sunny after 13 years with his family
16th September, 2026 03:44 PM
Former US President Barack Obama has announced the death of his beloved family dog, Sunny, after 13 years with the Obama family.
Obama shared the news on Wednesday, September 16, 2026, in an emotional tribute, describing Sunny as a cherished member of the family and recalling the special bond she developed with them after joining the household during his second term in the White House.
“Yesterday, we lost a cherished member of our family,” Obama said.
According to the former president, Sunny joined the family at the beginning of his second term in office and quickly became a favourite among the Obamas, including their first dog, Bo.
“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,” he said.
Obama described Sunny as energetic and athletic, recalling how she would leap over the hedges on the South Lawn while chasing squirrels, birds and other moving objects.
“We also had trouble keeping up with her, for Sunny was a force of nature,” he said.
The former president said Sunny enjoyed playing with the family and preferred spending time with them rather than being rewarded with treats.
“She 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,” Obama said.
Sunny’s bond
Obama also recalled Sunny’s relationship with Bo, saying she was fiercely protective of the older dog.
“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,” he said.
“She was fiercely protective of Bo, who she rightly sensed wasn’t always as alert and attentive as she was.”
The former president also highlighted some of Sunny’s unique traits, including her preference for people over other dogs, her loud drinking and her dislike of water despite being a Portuguese Water Dog.
“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,” Obama recalled.
Part of family
Despite her quirks, Obama said Sunny remained a much-loved part of the family throughout her 13 years with them.
“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,” he said.
Obama concluded his tribute by saying the family would deeply miss Sunny while imagining that she had reunited with Bo.
“We will miss her terribly, and imagine she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay,” he said.
