Remembering Sunny, the beloved pet of the Obama family

Celebrating the life of Sunny, the Obamas’ cherished companion and pet

Sunny the dog sits outside of the White House. Sunny has curly, dark-hair. She is staring directly into the camera and her mouth is open with her tongue hanging out.

On Sept. 15, 2026, the Obama family said goodbye to Sunny, their Portuguese water dog of 13 years. Alongside her brother Bo, Sunny brought warmth and boundless energy to the First Family, while filling the hallways of the White House and their home with laughter and happiness.

“ 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.”

–President Barack Obama

We’re reflecting on the legacy of Sunny, a pet who was able to bring joy to the First Family and helped make the White House feel like home. 

Joining the First Family

Bo and Sunny the dogs are being greeted by Pope Francis in the Oval Office. Pope Francis is bent over petting the top of Sunny the dog’s head. Behind Pope Francis President Barack Obama and Michelle Obama pet Bo the dog on the top of his head.

After joining the First Family, Sunny became a fixture in the White House. In 2015, Sunny and Bo greeted Pope Francis during a visit to the Oval Office. In an image captured by White House photographer Pete Souza, Sunny eagerly awaited a pet from the 266th Pope. 


“She was a willing subject, and has the rare distinction of being petted by both a President and a Pope,” Souza said in an Instagram post (Opens in a new tab) celebrating Sunny’s life.

Big Brother and Little Sis

Bo and Sunny the dogs play in the snow on the South Lawn. Both dogs are in motion in the snow and they are covered in snow up to the legs.

Sunny’s constant companion and best friend was Bo, who often joined in on her adventures through the White House. Described by President Obama as the "the perfect little sister for Bo," Sunny’s effervescence matched Bo’s calm demeanor and the younger dog was fiercely protective of her big brother Bo as he began to age. Bo, the Obamas’ first dog passed away in 2021 after a cancer diagnosis.  

Malia and Sasha’s Companion  

Bo and Sunny are playing with Sasha Obama on the South Lawn. Sasha is laying on green grass. Sunny is licking Sasha’s face while Bo stands behind Sasha.


President Obama promised his daughters, Malia and Sasha, that they would receive a dog at the end of his 2008 campaign, telling them, “You have earned the puppy that is coming with us!” 

Bo, also a Portuguese water dog, was initially chosen for his hypoallergenic fur. In the photo above, Sunny and Bo played with the youngest Obama daughter, Sasha, on the South Lawn.  

"She (Sunny) loved the girls, even if they were pestering her when she was napping,” said President Obama in a commemorative social media post on Sunny’s passing.

Child’s Best Friend

A young girl pets Sunny the dog as she lays on the carpet in the White House Map Room. Crouched new to the young girl is Michelle Obama who is also petting Sunny. Behind Sunny Bo lays on the ground relaxing. Behind the girl a woman sits in a chair watching the young girl pet Sunny.

While Sunny was close with her brother, she otherwise preferred the company of humans, President Obama recalled. During her time in the White House, the spirited dog could often be found following White House staff around as they completed their duties or joining public events like the annual Easter Egg Hunt and visits with children. In 2014, Sunny played with 8-year-old Jayla Raymond in the Map Room of the White House. Jayla, a visually impaired singer from Louisiana, was invited to visit the White House during the Christmas holiday festivities after Mrs. Obama learned of the young girl's dream to meet the First Lady. 

Requests for photos with Bo and Sunny

Mrs. Obama laughs in the Map Room while holding Bo and Sunny in her lap. She is sitting on a wooden bench in the White House Map Room.


The White House dogs were so popular, Mrs. Obama had a special request list of people who wanted to meet them! 

“I actually have a whole request sheet just for them…in my daily briefing book, you get a whole set of requests -- ‘can Bo and Sunny take pictures with this group, and this ambassador is coming in and they made a request to see Sunny and Bo,’” remarked Mrs. Obama during a 2016 speech at the Children’s National Health System.

The Obama Family stands and poses for a picture in the Rose Garden of the White House. From left to right is Malia Obama, Michelle Obama, Barack Obama, and Sasha Obama. Sitting in front of the family are Bo and Sunny.

“ 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. ”

–President Obama
Attendees view an exhibit about Bo and Sunny’s life at the White House in Chicago, IL. There is a hand touching the screen. The screen features cartoon drawings of Obama family dogs Bo and Sunny.