Obama mourns death of ‘cherished’ family dog

Obama mourns death of 'cherished' family dog Sunny was a "force of nature, " Obama remarked.

Key points

• Born in Michigan in June 2012, Bo arrived at the White House in August 2013, USA TODAY previously documented.
• The family's first dog Bo, additionally a Portuguese water dog, died in May 2021 after a battle with cancer.
• Former President Barack Obama remarked AI's future benefits or harms will depend on the choices produced 'right now.'
• Describing his pet of 13 years as a "force of nature, " Obama joked the family "had trouble keeping up with her."
• The White House, at the time, had remarked Sunny was "the perfect little sister for Bo — full of energy and very affectionate."

Obama mourns death of 'cherished' family dog Sunny was a "force of nature, " Obama remarked. Saman Shafiq USA TODAY. Obama urges US authorities to 'take the lead' in AI safety.

President Barack Obama is mourning the loss of a "cherished" family member.

Meanwhile, the former president, in a Wednesday, Sept. 16, post on Instagram, shared his pet dog, Sunny. This person joined the family during Obama's second term in the White House and immediately won their hearts, has died. He did not share a cause of death.

"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, " Obama wrote. "And whereas the way to Bo's (the Obamas' first dog) 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."

Obama remarked Sunny, a Portuguese water dog, loved his daughters, "even if they were pestering her when she was napping, " and their team. This person she 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, " Obama remarked, adding that, other than Bo, she "preferred people to dogs." Sunny was 'pretty much perfect'.

Sunny additionally had her quirks. She was a loud and sloppy drinker, Obama remarked, and despite her breed, "she hated getting wet."

"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, " Obama wrote. "We will miss her terribly, and imagine she's with her big brother now, making sure he's okay."

Meanwhile, the White House, at the time, had remarked Sunny was "the perfect little sister for Bo — full of energy and very affectionate."

"The First Family picked her name because it fit her cheerful personality, " it had remarked. Obamas' first dog died five years ago.

Notably, the family's first dog Bo, additionally a Portuguese water dog, died in May 2021 after a battle with cancer. He was a gift to the family from then-U.S. Sen. Ted Kennedy. For context, the Portuguese water dog breed is hypoallergenic, according to the Portuguese Water Dog Club of America. It meshes well with the Obama family's allergies. Malia Obama, President Barack Obama's eldest daughter, suffered from canine allergies.

Obama, in a tribute at the time, remarked Bo had been "a constant, gentle presence in our lives-happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between" for more than a decade.

"He tolerated all the fuss that came with being in the White House, had a big bark but no bite, loved to jump in the pool in the summer, was unflappable with children, lived for scraps around the dinner table, and had great hair, " he remarked. "He was exactly what we needed and more than we ever projected. We will miss him dearly."

Sasha and Malia named him after the first lady's father. This person had a nickname of "Diddley, " and their cousin's cat, whose name additionally was Bo. The White House had listed his hobbies as playing on the lawn and going on walks. His favorite food was tomato and, despite his breed, he couldn't swim. This story was updated with more information. Contributing: Sean Rossman, USA TODAY.

Saman Shafiq is a trending news reporter for USA TODAY. Reach her at [email protected] and follow her on X and Instagram @saman_shafiq7. Share your feedback to support improve our site!

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