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.

Barack and Michelle Obama share a tender moment during their White House years, a period that marked the beginning of the 13-year chapter remembered in their emotional family announcement. | Source: Getty Images

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 family welcomed their newest member during Barack Obama’s second term, adding another lively presence to a household already filled with two growing daughters and their first dog, Bo. | Source: Getty Images

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.

Barack and Michelle Obama pose with daughters Malia and Sasha during their White House years, when the family was adjusting to life with their growing household and a new four-legged addition. | Source: Getty Images

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.”

Sunny, the Obama family’s beloved Portuguese Water Dog, sits inside the White House during her years with the family, when she became known for her lively personality and close bond with Bo. | Source: Instagram/barackobama

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.