Socks the cat, who lived with the Clinton family at the governor’s mansion in Little Rock and at the White House, died today after a four-month battle with cancer. He was 20, and had been living with Betty Currie, Pres. Clinton’s former White House secretary, since 2000.

He was a gregarious animal, who enjoyed the company of people and even dogs. Friends and family recalled that he was also especially fond of chicken.

In his White House years, visiting heads of state often asked to have their photographs taken with Socks. And at one of the lowest moments in their fervor to persecute the Clintons, the Republicans in Congress even investigated the cat.