Churchill's Cat

Before he passed on, Sir Winston Churchill asked that his home, Chartwell Manor, always keep an orange cat named Jock "in comfortable residence", in memory of a favourite cat given to him by his private secretary, Sir John Colville.

His request continues to be honoured, and currently Jock III occupies the home. Unfortunately, this prime-ministerial pussycat is not permitted to enter the main rooms of his own home. Kitty has his claws and could potentially destroy the furniture. According to the BBC, Jock III is kept happy. Says Victoria Leighton, who looks after him. "We try to ensure he keeps to the garden, where he sits happily in the catmint."

According to reports, Churchill's original Jock slept with his master, shared his dining table, and attended numerous war-time Cabinet meetings. If Jock was late for meals, Churchill would send servants to find him, waiting to eat until the cat was present. Jock was said to have been with his master when he died.