Socks, the Clintons' White House cat, dies

[SlowwHand]

In this March 19, 1994 file photo, Socks the cat peers over the podium in the White House briefing room in Washington. Socks, the White House cat during the Clinton administration, has died. He was about 18. Socks had lived with Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie, in Hollywood, Md., since the Clintons left the White House in early 2001. (AP Photo/Marcy Nighswander, File)

BALTIMORE (AP) -- Socks, the White House cat during the Clinton administration who waged war on Buddy the pup, has died. He was around 18.

Socks had lived with Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie, in Hollywood, Md., since the Clintons left the White House in early 2001.

Currie confirmed Socks' death Friday evening and said she was "heartbroken." She did not give details, referring calls to the Clinton Foundation office.

The foundation released a statement from the Clintons:

"Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere. 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 reached his late teens - an advanced age for a cat - when reports surfaced in late 2008 that he had cancer and Currie had ruled out invasive efforts to prolong his life.

[Lorizael]

*sigh* My cat is the same age and not looking too good.

[MrFun]

good-bye Socks


How are we going to get health care back into good shape without Socks?

[Zkribbler]

He probably knew too much about the real Whitewater story and had to be snuffed.

[Asher]

*sigh* My cat is the same age and not looking too good.

My cat, 17, had her liver fail 18 months ago and is still kicking. The vet gave her 1 month at the time.

Though she's nearing the end now. Every couple weeks she has a violent seizure.

It's kind of odd: she goes crazy right before. She'll be sitting down sleeping or snuggling with someone, then suddenly get up and start chasing her tail aggressively (which she never does) and then starts convulsing for about minute. Then she's disoriented for 5 mins or so.

[MrFun]

He probably knew too much about the real Whitewater story and had to be snuffed.

[MrFun]

My cat, 17, had her liver fail 18 months ago and is still kicking. The vet gave her 1 month at the time.

Though she's nearing the end now. Every couple weeks she has a violent seizure.

It's kind of odd: she goes crazy right before. She'll be sitting down sleeping or snuggling with someone, then suddenly get up and start chasing her tail aggressively (which she never does) and then starts convulsing for about minute. Then she's disoriented for 5 mins or so.

Damn, man. I'm sorry your cat is going through that.

[SlowwHand]

I remember Asher saying his cat was on rough times, and expecting it to pass soon.

Socks was a "tuxedo" breed. Had it out with the family dog.

[Asher]

Damn, man. I'm sorry your cat is going through that.

The vet assures us she's not in any real pain from it unless she injures herself in the convulsions. She basically zones out for the entire thing.

We were insistent if it ever gets to the point where she's in regular pain, we'd just put her down... in the meantime, every-other-day she gets an IV to basically clean the toxins from her body since she's no functioning liver. Gives a new definition to high maintenance.

Her older brother died 2 years ago from cancer also. He was euthanized in my mother's arms. Really traumatic for her. He was a terrific lap cat, especially for my mom.

[Blaupanzer]

Hate when we lose our kitties, even if they are 18 years old. Sympathy, Asher.

Liked the idea of 'Socks, the White House cat' after all those dogs.

[MrFun]

Socks was really great with public relations.

[Ben Kenobi]

My mom has an old stray cat named Thomas. He's actually finally started mellowing out enough to sit on me without releasing his claws. I remember he was a father's day gift, because he showed up in our garage on fathers day. I'm still not sure what happened to him beforehand, but someone obviously dumped him off.

He's never been quite the same since.

[The Emperor Fabulous]

RIP Socks

My 18 year old Whippet, a family member since I was 9 in 1993, died the same day. I hope they're having fun in animal heaven.

[DaShi]

What was he like before you ever knew him?

[The Emperor Fabulous]

Dunno. She was found on the side of the road, no tags or anything. Person who found her thought she was a greyhound and brought it to the closest race track, in Delavan, WI. My father was racing secretary at the time, and we had just put our sick greyhound Legacy down a week or two earlier. First thing she did, when my dad brought her home, was she jumped into his arms (Whippets jump high), knocking him over. I loved that dog.