For the past four years, Bo the first dog has become a superstar, but he will now have to share the stage with Sunny, as Michelle Obama took to Twitter to announce that the first family now has a new first pet.
Sunny is also a Portuguese Water Dog just like Bo—their hypoallergenic coats won’t trigger Malia’s pet allergies—but she’s female and she hails from Michigan. She’s already more than a year old, having been born in June 2012. Though she’s black just like Bo, Sunny doesn’t have the white “tuxedo” markings that Bo has on his chest and front paws.
Since arriving on the scene in 2009—a gift to daughters Malia and Sasha to fulfill a campaign promise made by their father—Bo has become a media darling, appearing in countless White House videos and photos with the first family and even wearing bunny ears for a spot promoting the annual White House Easter Egg Roll this spring.
“We suspect Sunny will follow in Bo’s footsteps and keep the president company in the Oval Office, go for walks with the first family after their 6:30 family dinner and even jump up on the first lady’s lap from time to time!” the White House wrote on its website.
“In the past, Bo has been eager to help the first family with their official duties, from visiting Walter Reed and the Children’s National Medical Center, to inspecting the holiday decorations at the White House, to greeting guests at the White House on tours and during the Easter Egg Roll. But in October, the first lady told reporters that she hosted a ‘doggie play date’ because ‘Bo doesn’t have enough dog interaction.’ So now, in addition to helping with those official duties, Bo takes on the important role of big brother!”
As for the name, “Sunny is the perfect little sister for Bo — full of energy and very affectionate — and the first family picked her name because it fit her cheerful personality.”
