Posted by Former President Obama: Remembering Sunny, Our Beloved Family Dog
“Yesterday, the Obama family lost a cherished member of our family: Sunny, our beloved Portuguese Water Dog.
We welcomed Sunny into our lives at the start of our second term in the White House, and all of us—including our first dog, Bo—immediately fell in love with her.
It was hard to keep up with Sunny, because she was truly a force of nature. Athletic and bursting with energy, she would leap over the hedges on the South Lawn as if they weren’t even there, chasing squirrels, birds, and anything else that caught her attention. And while the way to Bo’s heart usually involved a treat, Sunny wanted something else: for us to run around with her, roll on the floor with her, or rub her belly for as long as we were willing.
She adored the girls, even when they interrupted her naps. She loved our team and often followed them around, eager to “help” with whatever they were doing. And she was fiercely protective of Bo, whom she seemed to understand wasn’t always quite as alert or attentive as she was.
Sunny had her quirks. Other than Bo, she preferred people to other dogs. She was a loud and gloriously sloppy drinker. And despite being a Portuguese Water Dog, she absolutely hated getting wet.
But to our family, she was pretty much perfect.
For thirteen years, Sunny was by our side—loyal, loving, endlessly energetic, and always ready for the next adventure. She remained fiery and beautiful right until the very end.
We will miss her terribly. And we like to imagine that she’s with her big brother now, making sure he’s okay.
Rest well, Sunny. You were deeply loved, and you will never be forgotten.”
