Nearly every president has had a pet, meaning cats and dogs (plus some unconventional animals) are a White House fixture. Seen here: President Benjamin Harrison’s pet goat, “Old Whiskers,” in the early 1890s.
Ahead, check out the White House’s cutest residents over the years.
President Teddy Roosevelt kept a pet Calico Shetland pony named Algonquin on White House grounds. In 1902, the horse even rode the White House elevator to visit Roosevelt’s son, Archie, when he was sick with measles.
Rebecca the raccoon was supposed to be Thanksgiving dinner for President Calvin Coolidge’s family in 1926, but first lady Grace Coolidge decided to keep her as a pet instead.
From 1961 to 1963, the Kennedy family kept a crew of pets during their stay at the White House, including a Welsh Terrier named Charlie, and Pushinka — the offspring of Soviet space dog Strelka. The puppy was gift from Soviet Union Premier Nikita Khrushchev.
In the 1990s, President Bill Clinton’s cat Socks attended important political events, and even had his own postage, stationary, and team of White House Staff to help answer mail addressed to him.
President George W. Bush and Laura Bush had two adorable Scottish Terriers named Barney and Miss Beazley — nicknamed “Beazley Weazley” (omg).
First Bo, and then Sunny, joined the Obama family in the White House after President Barack Obama promised his kids a puppy during the 2008 election. The Portuguese water dogs were even featured in the White House Christmas decorations.