Barack Obama Mourns 'Cherished Member' of His Family in Emotional Announcement — Photos

The former president and first lady have shared a heartbreaking family update, looking back on 13 years of memories that stretched from the White House to life after Washington. But his emotional announcement came with a poignant reminder of someone who had been by the family's side through it all.

On September 16, 2026, Barack and Michelle Obama shared news that the family had suffered a loss the previous day. In an emotional Instagram post, Barack wrote, "We lost a cherished member of our family."

The announcement was accompanied by photographs spanning years of family memories, including moments from the Obamas' time in the White House.

A Family Member Who Arrived During Obama's Second Term

Barack explained that the family welcomed the new arrival at the start of his second term in the White House, when life in Washington included presidential duties and two growing daughters.

From the beginning, the newest member of the household quickly made an impression. Barack recalled that the family, including their first dog, Bo, "immediately fell in love."

The White House described the newcomer as "full of energy and very affectionate" and said the First Family chose her name because it fit her cheerful personality. Keeping up with the newcomer, however, was another matter.

The Energy That Took Over the South Lawn

Barack remembered an athletic personality with seemingly endless energy, describing the newcomer as "a force of nature." In his tribute, he recalled how she would leap over the hedges on the South Lawn, chasing squirrels, birds, and anything else that moved.

While Bo could usually be won over with a treat, the newcomer preferred something more active. She wanted the Obamas to run around with her, roll on the floor, or rub her belly for as long as they were willing.

She also adored the Obama daughters, even when they disturbed her naps. Barack said she "loved the girls" and would often follow members of the family's team around as they worked.

She Had a Mischievous Side, Too

There was another side to that lively personality. In his Instagram tribute, Barack said she was "fiercely protective of Bo," whom she apparently sensed was not always as alert and attentive as she was. Her popularity soon extended beyond the family, too. In a 2015 report, The Hill quoted Michelle Obama saying, "Everybody wants to see them and take pictures."

Michelle said she even received requests for the pair’s schedules and had to approve their appearances. "I get a memo at the beginning of the month with a request for their schedules, and I have to approve their appearances," she said.

Sunny's White House Years Were Anything But Quiet

Sunny, the former presidential family's beloved Portuguese Water Dog, was born in Michigan in June 2012 and joined the Obama family in August 2013. The White House's blog, now inaccessible, reportedly noted that she had arrived as a young Portuguese Water Dog, just like Bo, "which works great for the Obamas because of allergies in their family."

She was purchased from a breeder, while the Obamas made a donation to the Washington Humane Society in her name when she arrived. According to CNN, Sunny spent four years at the White House, from 2013 to 2017. She traveled with the former First Family aboard Air Force One during annual trips to Hawaii and Martha’s Vineyard.

Michelle later described Sunny in her memoir as "a free-spirited rambler who seemed to see no point in being house-trained, given how big her new house was." That description had some history behind it. During a holiday event in the year she arrived, Sunny reportedly jumped onto a 2-year-old while Michelle tried to restrain her on a leash.

From White House Appearances to Famous Visitors

The pair's public profile grew as they appeared at events around the White House and became part of the family's public image. During Pope Francis' historic 2015 visit, the pontiff met the Obama family inside the residence. According to ABC News, Pope Francis also petted both Sunny and Bo.

Their likenesses later appeared in the Obamas' final Christmas decorations at the White House. Oversized replicas made from 25,000 yarn pom-poms were displayed in the East Wing hallway.

The decorations even captured their different markings, with Bo depicted with white paws and a white chest while Sunny was shown entirely in black. Sunny also crossed paths with other famous figures during her life, including Barefoot Contessa star Ina Garten.

Even Barack and Michelle Couldn't Always Keep Up With Her

Barack discussed Sunny's early days with the family during a 2013 CNN interview, explaining that Bo had seemed to be getting a little down before she arrived. "Bo was starting to look a little down in the dumps," Barack said. "Sunny, the new dog, she's only a year old. And the truth is, she's faster than he is. She jumps higher. She's friskier."

He acknowledged that house-training was still a work in progress. "There have been a couple of accidents," Barack said. "We live in rental housing. We didn't put down a deposit. We're making sure it gets cleaned up for the next occupant."

By 2016, Sunny's habits were still giving Barack reason to keep an eye on her. Speaking to PEOPLE for the Obamas' 2016 cover story, Michelle called Sunny a "wonderful dog" but said she sometimes caught her doing her business near the Lincoln Bedroom and her office.

Barack recalled what happened when he noticed her sneaking away. He said:

"She knows that she's doing something wrong because she'll run and sneak [past me]. Sometimes I'll be in my office, and I'm doing my work, and I'll see this like scurrying – and I got to get up and run before she does her thing because if I'm too late, then there's a little gift that she leaves."

The Hill had previously reported Michelle describing another version of the same problem:

"Sunny can be naughty. Because you know what she does sometimes? She leaves the kitchen, and she'll sneak, and she'll go poop on the other end of the White House."

Despite those White House antics, Sunny remained deeply loved by the family.

Thirteen Years Later, the Goodbye

In his September 16 tribute, Barack stated that despite her eccentricities, "As far as our family was concerned, she was pretty much perfect, and for thirteen years, she would be by our side."

He described her as "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," the former president concluded his tribute.

A Final Tribute Brings an Outpouring of Sympathy

Barack's announcement quickly drew messages from people who had followed Sunny’s story over the years. One commenter wrote, "If you want to know the character of humans look to how they treat animals. Rest easy sweet pup."

Another commenter said, "America can no take no more loss of our icons this year." A third commenter wrote, "Love it ❤️tribute to first dog of america [sic]."

And another person offered their sympathy, saying, "So very sorry for your loss...the toughest thing owning our furry ones is losing them."

Barack's reference to Sunny's "big brother" also brought the story back to another beloved member of the Obama family — Bo — whose death preceded hers.

The Goodbye That Came Before Sunny

Bo, another Portuguese Water Dog, joined the family after Barack promised Malia and Sasha they would get a puppy following the 2008 election. In his May 2021 tribute, Barack said, "Today our family lost a true friend and loyal companion. For more than a decade, Bo was a constant, gentle presence in our lives — happy to see us on our good days, our bad days, and everyday in between."

Bo had "a big bark but no bite," the former president wrote, adding that he loved jumping in the pool, was "unflappable with children," lived for scraps from the dinner table, and "had great hair."

Michelle's 2021 Instagram tribute revealed, "This afternoon was a difficult one for our family. We said goodbye to our best friend — our dog, Bo—after a battle with cancer."

She remembered him greeting Malia and Sasha when they came home from school, wandering into her and Barack’s offices with a ball in his mouth and joining the family for major White House occasions.

During the pandemic, Michelle Obama said Bo was especially happy to have everyone back under one roof. The family remained grateful that he had lived "such a joyful life full of snuggles, games of fetch, and evenings spent lying on the couch."

For the Obamas, Sunny's death marks the loss of another beloved companion who became part of their family history. For those who watched her grow from a White House newcomer into a familiar figure, Barack's tribute offered a final glimpse of the personality behind the photographs.