Friends of mine (the great @gonzohistory and his insane love) mentioned that Trump is only the second president, after James K. Polk, not to have a pet.

True!

So here is a thread of the best presidential pets. Because they're amazing.

George Washington had dogs, a parrot and a donkey. They had names like Drunkard, Sweetlips and Cornwallis (the general he famously defeated). My favourite is his dalmatian, Madame Moose.

Thomas Jefferson had two BEARS. Specifically two cubs from Zebulon Pike, who thought they were too dangerous to own. Which is obviously why the second amendment is the right to bear arms.

John Quincy Adams had silkworms (for their silk) and a freakin' alligator. Jackson kept fighting cocks, and Martin Van Buren owned two tigers - actually sent to Jackson - before Congress forced him to give them to a zoo as they were for 'the president' not him.

Lincoln, of course, had a horse. But finally we get a photo! Here's Old Bob, being led by Rev. Henry Brown at Lincoln's funeral.

Rutherford B. Hayes had the first siamese cat in the US.

Grover Cleveland had a Japanese poodle named Hector.

And Benjamin Harrison had a goat called Black Peter. (Only pulling your leg, it was called Whiskers.)

Teddy R. had a goddamn zoo, pretty much, including guinea pigs, actual pigs, ponies, "Bill the lizard", a macaw, a snake called Emily Spinach, another bear, a rat, cats, a hyena, a barn owl and a rooster with one leg.

Woodrow Wilson kept 48 sheep on the White House lawn.

Calvin Coolidge was all about racoons. Also canaries, a bobcat, a wallaby, another bear, ducks... but this portrait of their dog Rob Roy is MAGNIFICENT.

Herbert Hoover loved dogs but adopted an opossum, so yes, opossum fans: they ARE presidential.

FDR and Truman both were dog guys. Ike had a parakeet and a dog. JFK dogs, ponies and his daughter kept a flock of ducks at the white house.

After that everyone was basically a dog, cat or horse guy. Shoutout to George W. Bush for keeping a longhorn cow, though.

Here's Bill Clinton's Socks.

And y'know I can't resist finishing up with some GOOD DOGS. So here are the Obamas' Bo and Sunny.