Sunny (dog) explained

Sunny
Species:Canis lupus familiaris
Breed:Portuguese Water Dog
Gender:Female
Birth Date:June 11, 2012
Birth Place:Lansing, Michigan, United States
Known:Pet of the First family of the United States (first dog)
First Dog of the United States
Term:August 19, 2013 – January 20, 2017
Predecessor:Barney
Successor:Champ and Major
Owner:Obama family
Appearance:Black
Namedafter:Personality

Sunny (born June 11, 2012) is a pet dog of the Obama family, the 44th presidential family of the United States. Sunny is a female Portuguese Water Dog who was a First Dog of the United States along with Bo.[1] Sunny was introduced via First Lady Michelle Obama's Twitter account on August 19, 2013.[2]

Breeding and original owners

Sunny is a purebred Portuguese Water Dog and was selected from a breeder in the Great Lakes area.[3]

Media response

Although Sunny was purchased from a breeder, president of The Humane Society of the United States, Wayne Pacelle, wrote on a blog post, "As we always say in such circumstances, we hope the Obamas considered adoption or rescue as the first choice in obtaining a pet." He further went on to thank the Obama family for making a contribution to the Humane Society in Sunny's name, and helping reduce the suffering of dogs, although he would like the policies to finally become law.

Incidents

There have been minor incidents involving Sunny. In 2013, at a Military family arts and crafts event, Sunny knocked over a 2-year-old girl while in front of Michelle Obama. However, the child was unharmed. Sunny was not aggressive to the child, licking her face.[4] [5] In January 2017, Sunny reportedly bit a White House visitor on the face, leaving a cut under the visitor's eye, which required stitches. The visitor, who was a teen friend of Malia, was treated by the president's physician Dr. Ronny Jackson.[6] [7]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Feldmann . Lindie . New little girl arrives at White House. Meet Sunny Obama. (+video) . . 20 August 2013.
  2. Michelle . Obama . FLOTUS . 369606071599374336 . So excited to introduce the newest member of the Obama family—our puppy, Sunny! http://at.wh.gov/o4DkW —mo . August 19, 2013.
  3. News: Grier. Peter. New White House pup Sunny: Why not a rescue dog?. August 20, 2013. Christian Science Monitor. August 20, 2013.
  4. News: How does a two-year-old make news for falling over? When it's at the White House. . December 4, 2013 . . November 2, 2020.
  5. News: Goodin . Emily . Obama dog knocks over toddler . December 4, 2012 . . November 2, 2020.
  6. Web site: Evon. Dan. January 13, 2017. Obama Family Dog Reportedly Bites Visitor. Snopes. January 22, 2017.
  7. News: White House defends Sunny and Bo after biting report. Lejeune. Tristan. January 13, 2017. The Hill. July 23, 2018. mdy-all.