Socks, Clintons' Former Cat, Dies

[47of74]

Source: WCSH

WASHINGTON, DC (NBC) -- The cat that lived in President Clinton's White House has passed away.

"Socks" was euthanized Friday at the age of 19. Socks had been suffering from cancer of the jaw. The cat lived in washington with clinton's former white house secretary, Betty Currie.

Socks was the grand marshal of a parade in 2002, and was a fixture on the White House lawn with Buddy, the Clintons' dog.

Curry said she planned to have socks cremated.

Read more: http://www.wcsh6.com/news/watercooler/story.aspx?storyid=100923&catid=108

---

Oh no. I know Socks is in a better place now.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Hey Socks, say 'hi' to Mr. Peabody when you get there. RIP. nt

[Mari333]

2. all kittycats go to heaven

[emilyg]

60. Yes they do.

[Siwsan]

3. Oh, that's sad

I have a little black and white "tuxedo" cat, named Sophie Stinky Toes. She looks a lot like Socks.

[aquamarina]

4. Great name

[Patchuli]

45. It is sad, but it was time

It's very hard watching your beloved animals deal with disease...but 19 was a goodly age. I am usually blessed with at least 17 years with my kitties.

Meet my Tuxedo (of 3!) named Cosmo Topper! He is almost 10 months and what a wild one! Today all he did (that I know of) was unroll the whole roll of paper towels in the kitchen!

[FormerDittoHead]

5. They held it off 'till Friday to cushion the public reaction... n/t

[catzies]

7. Not a bad idea I guess, as I'm sitting here bawling my eyes out n/t

[catzies]

6. RIP Socks. You'll always be First Cat to me in my heart

http://static.guim.co.uk/Guardian/world/gallery/2008/nov/05/usa/[e-mail]


Say hello to my dearly departed Mogli at the Rainbow Bridge. :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry: :cry:

He looked like you...

[Catamount]

10. Thanks for the memories and the great photos! K&R n/t

[ronnykmarshall]

11. He was such a cute cat.

:cry:

[DUlover2909]

12. Thanks for the photos. I didn't remember Clinton's cat.

:grouphug:

[rpannier]

14. I've always loved the picture of him at the microphone

It seems to say, "No, I'm not having an affair with Angelina Jolie. Are there any real questions out there?"

[47of74]

16. That or,

"The human has signed a new order placing me in charge!"

[Jeff In Milwaukee]

78. A nation run by cats...

Interesting concept. We'd all certainly be better groomed.

[Chorophyll]

15. Aw.

RIP, Socks. :(

[Critters2]

19. Thanks for the pics! I'd forgotten what a pretty cat he was. nt

[Sultana]

30. awwwwwwwww, cute

The 2nd pic is classic.

[Patchuli]

46. catzies...

:hug:

[catzies]

53. Thanks Patchuli...all tuxedo cat lovers lost one of our own today

:hug:

[Dukkha]

75. my cat Neo is another tuxedo cat

He offers his condolences too

[biopowertoday]

76. Thanks so much for the memories.

[kestrel91316]

8. I'm really sad. I was one of his fans.

[ronnykmarshall]

9. Say Hi to Mickey for me Socks

[Gregorian]

23. And please say hi to Farnsworth and Bart for me!

My beloved brothers who recently departed.

We love cats.

[regnaD kciN]

67. ...and Panda, my own departed "Tuxedo Manx"...

[Gregorian]

71. Wow. He looks like Farnsworth!

If only life would last forever...











I could go on and on.

[rpannier]

13. That's sad

I never knew about the cancer.

[UrbScotty]

17. Goodbye Socks.

Rest in peace.

:hug:

[Raine]

18. Aw gee

that's such sad news. :cry:

[disndat]

20. I loved Socks too!

It was a great name and such a cute cat. I remember all the burly photographers kneeling on the ground to get a photo of her when she first became the First Cat.That picture captured the hearts of people all over the world. It would be wonderful if Betty Currie would write a book about her life with Socks, with lots and lots of pictures. It would sell a million.

[catzies]

29. Look at this and try not to fall out of your chair at the price

http://www.reverebooksonline.com/store/104167.htm

Clinton, Hillary Rodham. DEAR SOCKS, DEAR BUDDY. KID'S LETTERS TO THE FIRST PETS. NY: Simon & Schuster 1998. Hardcover. First edition, first prnt. Color and black and white photographs. Signed by Clinton on the front free endpage (not a tipped-in leaf). Unread copy in Fine condition in a Fine dustjacket with a Durafold mylar cover.
Price: $350.00

[No Elephants]

21. Betty Currie sure is one loyal friend to the Clintons. RIP Socks.

[virgdem]

22. RIP Socks..

How weird - I was just thinking about him today and wondering how he was doing. I had read in the pets forum that he was suffering from cancer and then I didn't hear anything. He lived a good, long life and he will not be forgotten.

[GinaMaria]

24. sad to see you go Socks.....

[ellie]

25. R.I.P. Socks

[jgraz]

26. Strange... we just had our kitty die from exactly the same thing

[BrklynLiberal]

58. I also had a cat that died of that too. I wonder why it seems to be so

likely/not uncommon in cats.

[Dr.Phool]

27. Vince Foster's dog denies any wrongdoing.

Details at 11:00.

[Patchuli]

47. !!

:spank:

[catzies]

28. His wiki page has been updated with his passing. I'm taking this really hard today

I don't know why because I knew he was ill, but I'm taking his death relly hard. :cry:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Socks_(cat)

[rvablue]

33. Socks had a wonderful, long life....I hope this helps and doesn't make it harder for you

here are some pics of the lovley Socks I posted on another thread :hug: :

http://www.democraticunderground.com/discuss/duboard.php?az=show_mesg&forum=389&topic_id=5100070&mesg_id=5100243

[catzies]

38. You are very sweet for doing that.

:hug: back atcha.

[LanternWaste]

31. I imagine that Socks will go down as the only cat in American political history...

It's tough to lose a beloved pet, but I imagine that Socks will go down as the only cat in American political history to have had a congressional investigation initiated against it...



http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-srv/politics/special/campfin/stories/pitbull.htm
"...Socks, the first cat, came under his scrutiny. (Dan) Burton once publicly questioned the use of White House personnel to answer letters addressed to the Clinton family pet."

[BrklynLiberal]

59. Just another piece of evidence pointing out what idiots repukes are.

[Berry Cool]

32. Deepest condolences from my own longhair tuxedo cat, Bella, and my Tortie, Harley.

This isn't actually a picture of my Bella, but it looks much like her:



The Tuxies are mourning one of their own today.

[Towlie]

34. The Last Will and Testament of Socks the Cat...

[Patchuli]

66. !!

:spank:

[TripleKatPad]

35. Happy trails, Socks

The TripleKatPad family thinks you were a top-notch, graceful First Kat. We mourn your loss. But we are heartened that you graced us for 20 years (give or take a cat-year or two). You are well-loved by us commoners.

[superconnected]

36. Rip Socks.

Say hello to Gracie - my cat that passed on earlier this week.

[sonias]

37. Oh Socks....

Rest in peace, Socks. Wow 19 is a very long life.

Condolences to the Clinton family.

Sonia

[Triana]

39. Poor baby. But he was 19! He had a good, long happy life....

...I hope he can say hello to my baby Sassy when he gets across the Rainbow Bridge! I still miss her SO much and I know the Clintons will miss Mr. Socks for a long time too. After that many years, they truly are family members.

=^..^=

<3
<3
<3

[mr1956]

40. My condolences to Betty

I wonder how long she fostered Socks? That picture of him on her desk is my favorite.

[Triana]

41. According to this CNN link, Betty had fostered him since they left the White House

http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/02/20/socks.obit/index.html

"Since the Clintons left the White House in 2001, Socks had lived with Betty Currie, former President Bill Clinton's secretary. The Clintons were known to have visited Socks, and Currie, when in Washington.

He had been a stray and was adopted by Chelsea Clinton, the Clintons' daughter, when Bill Clinton was governor of Arkansas.

"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."

[Baby Snooks]

49. The thing that always bothered me...

They dumped him. The way thousands of others dump a pet when they move and find the pet "inconvenient." Some are lucky and find a new home. Some are not lucky. I really don't like people who dump pets. That was one of many things about the Clintons I really didn't like.

Fortunately Socks found a better home with someone who really loved him.

[Triana]

52. Yea come to think of it Betty will probably miss him more than the Clintons...

...sad. I hadn't realized he'd been 'adopted out' until I found the CNN link. Ah well. He had good care and a good home at least.

[kestrel91316]

63. They didn't "dump" him. They were both allergic to cats, and

then there were apparently major problems between him and Buddy, so they FOUND A NEW HOME FOR HIM. There's a difference.

Just between you and me, I think they found out they were more dog people than cat people, and so the home with Betty was more appropriate anyway.

[MrsMatt]

74. I don't think the Clintons "dumped" him

from what I've read, Socks became quite attached to Betty.

When the Clintons left in 2001, Betty had just lost her cat. Why wouldn't they let Betty take him if he gave her comfort and he had bonded with her?

I think it was a very unselfish act.

[DinahMoeHum]

42. Say hi to Buddy for us, Socks. . .

Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets

http://www.amazon.com/Dear-Socks-Buddy-Letters-First/dp/0684857782/ref=sr_1_2?ie=UTF8&s=books&qid=1235176853&sr=1-2


Here's to Socks and Buddy
:toast::toast::toast:

[onehandle]

43. Our cats salute him. nt

[Veritas_et_Aequitas]

44. Godspeed, Socks. nt

[benld74]

48. Clinton in WH when we got our cats from Humane Society,

my daughter named on Tigger. The dark grey and white one with 'white' feet no less I named BOOTS, since Socks was already taken.
They are both cat napping on the couch next to me as I type this. I'm sure they felt a loss in the feline world.
Peace Socks.

[StarryNite]

50. RIP Socks

This hits me really hard because our 19 year old cat, Toonces, died last October. It's so hard to lose them. :cry: :grouphug:

[katandmoon]

51. I still have a "Washington Rocks With Sax and Socks" bumper sticker on my old car

Placed there in early 1993.

The bumper sticker has completely faded to white over the years -- except the little cartoon of Socks, who is still visible on it.

Godspeed, Socks.

[alittlelark]

54. Tara, Oliver and Ghost will be there to welcome him!

The Rainbow Bridge has been crossed.

[Tab]

55. It's ironic

I have nothing against Socks - the loss of most any pet is sad.

The media, however, didn't say much when John, Peter, Robert, Sean, Stephen, Joe, Mary Lou, Candace, Franklin, Michael, or any of the other nearly 5000 soldiers died, not to mention Abdul, Achmed, Suriya, or any of nearly a 100,000 Iraqis (at a conservative count).

So, I'm sorry, Socks. You probably had a good life.

At least you weren't lied into war.

[Mind_your_head]

57. You KNOW most of us DU'ers have the utmost respect for

John, Peter, Robert, Sean, Stephen, Joe, Mary Lou, Candace, Franklin, Michael, and ALL of the other nearly 5000 soldiers who died, not to mention Abdul, Achmed, Suriya, or any of nearly a 100,000+++ Iraqis.

RIP and many Americans are very very sorry and it was all done "not in our name/without our approval". :cry: :cry: :cry:

[Tab]

61. I do know

I'm hoping the whole country has moved into awareness, far beyond our little community here at DU.

[mrs_p]

56. RIP little one

[Phoonzang]

62. 19....impressive... nt

[kestrel91316]

64. My oldest patient came in today - he's 23.

[Phoonzang]

65. Wow...that's crazy.

My cat's only 2 but of the cats I've known (owned by others) the oldest was 17.

[kestrel91316]

69. Years ago I had a feline patient aged 26. Yeah, you read that right.

[JaneQPublic]

68. Good article on Socks from Betty's local paper, last summer

From the St. Mary's, Maryland "Enterprise" newspaper:

http://www.somdnews.com/stories/06062008/entecov172737_32166.shtml

I posted this a few months ago, but it bears repeating today.

Here's another article, telling about Sock's role as celebrity grand marshal at the local charity Animal Fair:

http://www.somdnews.com/stories/042507/entefea172942_32093.shtml

[catzies]

79. Thanks, JaneQPublic, that first link had some great quotes about him:

In addition to the freedom and ambiance of his waterfront home, Socks’ twilight years are being filled with a little bit of excitement lately, with Sen. Hillary Clinton running for the office her husband once held.

Currie, interpreting for Socks, said he is enthralled by the possibility of the Clintons returning to the White House, whether in the president’s office or that of the vice president. The Curries have the news on 24 hours a day, she said, and Socks keeps half an eye on the election news updates.

‘‘He is a Demo-cat,” Currie says of Socks’ political affiliation. ‘‘But he maintains his independence ... as cats do.”

Currie said, however, that Socks doesn’t put too much stock in the primaries. He’s more interested in the actual election.

This was an attitude, she said, that Socks picked up from his former owner. ‘‘He learned from the master, Bill Clinton,” she said.

Despite the grinding pace of the primary, Hillary Clinton has had time to remember the laid-back, black-and-white cat now surveying the Currie’s back yard. Currie spoke to Hillary Clinton less than a month ago when they were both at an event in Washington. She still asks about Socks. ‘‘Oh, sure,” Currie said. ‘‘She said ‘I’d love to see him.’”

He’s that kind of cat. His sense of noblesse oblige leads him to interrupt his naps and his survey of his back yard to visit with the public. His dignified and low-key personality allows him to graciously share his space on the deck with the Curries and any guests they choose to invite. And the neighbors in his Hollywood neighborhood are familiar with the networking cat, who likes to visit those nearby.

He’s a cat who is at peace with himself and his place in the world.


...I think it's easy to tell it was written by a cat lover.

[Chovexani]

70. I loved Socks

:cry:

I just know he's chillin' at the right paw of Bast, though.

[Rosa Luxemburg]

72. sorry to hear about Socks

[IndianaGreen]

73. 19 years is a long time for a cat to live

RIP Socks.

[GoddessOfGuinness]

77. I'd have voted for Socks before I'd vote for a rethuglican

Rest in peace, Socks... :cry: