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RIP Socks: Clintons' Cat Dies

By Harry Kimball,  Newser Staff

Posted Feb 20, 2009 4:48 PM CST

(Newser) – Socks is no more. The First Cat of the Clinton White House died today at the age of 20, People reports. The feline, who had lived with Bill Clinton’s former personal secretary, Betty Curie, since leaving the White House, was put down after a bout with throat cancer. “Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years,” the Clintons said in a statement. “We're grateful for those memories.”

“We especially want to thank our good friend, Betty Currie, for taking such loving care of Socks for so many years,” the Clintons said. Socks was a beloved fixture of the White House, “always curled up on a blue striped silk chair, next to Betty,” said a family friend. “Socks didn’t act like a cat. Socks was very dog-like.” But his last days weren’t happy. “He could no longer stand and wasn’t eating.”

Socks on the White House lawn.
Socks on the White House lawn.   (AP Photo)
Socks the cat peers over the podium in the White House briefing room.
Socks the cat peers over the podium in the White House briefing room.   (AP Photo)
Betty Currie, President Clinton's personal secretary, took care of Socks after he left the White House.
Betty Currie, President Clinton's personal secretary, took care of Socks after he left the White House.   (AP Photo)
Socks, the Clinton family cat, perches atop a reindeer statue on the White House lawn behind the Oval Office in Washington.
Socks, the Clinton family cat, perches atop a reindeer statue on the White House lawn behind the Oval Office in Washington.   (AP Photo)
Bill and Hillary Clinton at her 59th birthday party at Tavern on the Green in New York.
Bill and Hillary Clinton at her 59th birthday party at Tavern on the Green in New York.   (AP Photo)
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A Socks montage.   (YouTube)

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The truth be known, Betty asked if Socks could come live with her. The Clintons didn’t abandon Socks. They were totally conflicted. It broke their hearts, but they knew it would be the right thing for Socks’ welfare.
- Barry Landau, friend and historian

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COMMENTS
Showing 3 of 13 comments
riffran
Feb 21, 2009 6:50 AM CST
taste like chicken
AnnieOkie58
Feb 21, 2009 6:24 AM CST
My sympathy to the Clinton and Betty...I am a big time cat lover. One of my cats looks alot like Socks...Its so sad Socks had to be put to sleep, but understandable.
AnnieOkie58
Feb 21, 2009 3:16 AM CST
LMR....I do believe that is exactly what riffran was referring to !

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