Socks Clinton dies; ex-First Cat known for sleeping was 20
Word tonight that Socks Clinton, the one-time Arkansas stray adopted by the Clintons who rose to international prominence and literary fame as sole feline inhabitant of the White House, died today.
Throat cancer and a euthanasia shot were given as the cause. The cat who lived a Horatio Alger life was believed to be about 20.
Upon leaving the executive residence in Washington, the Clinton family gave the cat to the president's secretary, Betty Currie, who had recently lost her own pet.
Socks relinquished the public spotlight in 2001 due to term limits and spent his retirement living in Maryland where he expected regular home cooking and was particularly fond of chicken.
Socks had become attached to Currie during his White House terms, residing most hours on a blue striped chair next to her desk outside the Oval Office, which he allowed the president to use.
Though reticent in public, Socks was known as an affectionate creature, even tolerating the First Dog, a brown Labrador named Buddy, who was killed in a 2002 collision with a car near the Clintons' suburban New York home.
In an actual statement released Friday the Clintons said: "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."
Though he was not much of a reader, Socks became internationally famous after a book was written about him -- "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to the First Pets." It was a collection of mail he had received though, truth be told, he expressed no particular interest in any of it.
Some foreign leaders were said to have even requested to have their photo taken with the First Kitty, which he tolerated because he favored diplomacy over militancy. At the end Socks was reported unwilling to eat and unable to stand. He had a last walk outdoors Thursday in Currie's arms.
No memorial plans were announced. A private cremation was planned. Survivors are unknown but presumed plentiful.
-- Andrew Malcolm
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Photo credit: Marcy Nighswander / Associated Press
What a cute story. I remember Socks from my childhood. He will be missed!
Posted by: Jason Vega | February 20, 2009 at 10:29 PM
Socks died! Now here is news.
Not a right-winger or a left-winger. Not Republican not Democrat. Not religious. Not atheistic.
Just liked to curl up for a long good nap. Never gave anyone any trouble. Even put up with the first dog!
Now he is curled up somewhere else.
And we are stuck with OctoMom, cable/radio rants and division in a time of national crisis. I was born here in 1941, San Francisco. But I've not thought much of Americans most of my life. They don't know how to life the peaceful life, only how to mess things up.
Cats.
Posted by: William Britton | February 21, 2009 at 12:47 AM
"Socks had become attached to Currie during his White House terms, residing most hours on a blue striped chair next to her desk outside the Oval Office, which he allowed the president to use."
What a fantastic line. Good writing!
Posted by: Matthew, of Chapman | February 21, 2009 at 01:34 AM
Who would have thought that it would take this long for the Times to recognize your abilities and give you work commensurate with your genius.
Posted by: MikeInLondon | February 21, 2009 at 02:11 AM
I feel for your family and you loss< Cats are our brothers an d sisters and their loss leaves us a bit colder and isolated without a place to go
Posted by: rob delorenzo | February 21, 2009 at 03:18 AM
Thank you for the lovely article. What a very special cat. To me, animals are like gifts from God
Posted by: Margaret | February 21, 2009 at 04:49 AM
Why is this national news?
Indicative of the Reagan administration's removal of all
news items upon which society can take action...the US has been unmercifully swamped for 30 years with these 'human interest' stories and moral dilemmas in which we have no decision in the outcome: Octoplets, Rihanna, some dumb cat...
Are you journalists - or do you work for the local high
school Yearbook Society? These are serious times, so
LA Times - get with the times; stop pandering to
some animal lover ethos that appeals to the lowest common denominator.
Bigger things happened today -- you've got to REPORT, not REPEAT, the junk from the AP Newswire!
Posted by: pathetic | February 21, 2009 at 06:55 AM
Could it have been a recent examination of his stock market portfolio that prompted Socks to ask for the euthanasia shot?? Ralph L. Seifer, Long Beach
Posted by: ralph l. seifer | February 21, 2009 at 06:57 AM
I enjoyed reading this touching story about Socks. He conducted his life like a true first cat. But my cat is Top Kat.
Posted by: Shelly | February 21, 2009 at 07:39 AM
Cat lovers everywhere who have followed Socks' career since he moved into the White House will shed a tear at Andrew Malcolm's story. Without prejudice to canines, there have been all too few cats in the executive mansion. Perhaps it is their well-known independence and resistance to training and regimentation that simply don't adapt well to a highly structured environment. As one who believes that cats bring qualities of humor and devotion and beauty to the lives of those who tend them, I wish it were otherwise, but at least we had Socks for a while and know that in the pantheon of cats he will always occupy a special niche. Requiescat in Pace.
Posted by: Steve Benedict | February 21, 2009 at 01:42 PM
Poor Socks.
I love your writing, Andrew. You're style is the best. It makes my day.
My father's name was Andrew. He was editor for our local weekly newspaper in the town I grew up in. In a way, you remind me of him. Keep up the good work.
Posted by: Geepa | February 21, 2009 at 02:03 PM
FYI - Socks was 18. He was a kitten when Chelsea took him in. Socks' sister was adopted by a Republican family, which was a source of amusement to all.
Posted by: GH Waite | February 22, 2009 at 10:32 AM
Gonna miss that cat.Rest in peace Socks.
Posted by: Jon Jensen | February 22, 2009 at 03:27 PM
RIP Socks.
Posted by: Dot Burgess | February 22, 2009 at 10:03 PM
Sad to hear this news. At least he lived a long life and had the best possible care. A lot of cats will never have that much... I have 5 cats, and I spoil all of them rotten. RIP Socks... you will be missed!
Posted by: Farvoyager | February 25, 2009 at 08:43 PM
I AM SO SORRY TO HEAR ABOUT SOCKS. SHE HAD A GOOD LIFE. I AM A CAT LOVER, AND HAVE THREE OF MY OWN, AND A CAT WHICH I HAVE GIVEN A TEMPORARY HOME TO, AND SHE NEEDS A LOVING HOME DESPERATELY. SHE LOOKS JUST LIKE SOCKS, AND HER NAME IS BOOTS. IF THERE IS ANYONE OUT THERE WHO WOULD LIKE A CAT FOR A ONE CAT HOME, PLEASE CONTACT ME. THANK YOU.
MARTHA MARTIN
Posted by: MARTHA MARTIN | March 03, 2009 at 08:27 AM
This message is for "Pathetic" - You are PATHETIC in your comment about Socks and Andrew's story. What a shame you don't know the congeniality of a cat. But I can understand why - you obviously are functioning w/o a heart, are evil and evil will follow you very closely and one day - watch out - you will be prey to an animal. What goes around - comes around!
Posted by: Cat Lover | March 05, 2009 at 10:15 AM
A goood any funny idea on an article! I'm so sorry about his death, because I also lost an old animal friend by myself last week. Socks was the one and only true Clinton ;-) 20 years is a proud age for a cat... Hope he will stay in memory of us all, bye
Posted by: Billigflüge | April 17, 2009 at 01:31 AM