Former First Cat Socks Goes to the Rainbow Bridge
Socks, the tuxedo-clad first cat of the Clinton administration was euthanized today at the Three Notch Veterinary Clinic in Maryland after battling cancer of the mouth and jaw for several months. He was about 20 years old.
Socks lived with Betty Currie, former President Bill Clinton’s secretary, after leaving the White House. The Clintons visited Socks, and Currie, when in Washington. 11-year-old Chelsea adopted Socks in 1991 after she saw the stray kitten at her piano teacher’s home in Little Rock, Arkansas. The cat moved into the governor’s mansion with the family and later to the White House.
“Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere,” Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement released by the William J. Clinton Foundation. “We’re grateful for those memories, and we especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years.”
Socks had his own online fan club, appeared at animal charity events and was one of the subjects of Hillary Clinton’s book, “Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets.”
When asked for his reaction, Rocky the Gutter Cat said, “Socks was an inspiration to Tuxedo cats everywhere, especially those of us who were once strays. He faced old age with grace and dignity, and was a role model for those of us enjoying our sunset years. He will be missed.”
Socks was a role model for Tuxie Catster Sadie, who said, “It is a sad day. Socks did live a good, long life, but, like da rest of us, not long enuff.”
