Posted: Feb. 21, 2009, 3 a.m. EST
Socks lost his battle with cancer of the jaw. He lived in the White House during the Clinton administration. |
Socks the cat, who went from being a stray to living in the White House during the Clinton administration, died on Friday. He was 19 years old.
The former first feline had been battling cancer of the jaw and his condition was rapidly worsening. According to recent reports, the black-and-white cat was losing weight and also suffered from kidney problems.
Betty Currie, who was President Clinton’s personal secretary, has taken care of of Socks in southern Maryland since 2001. During his White House years, Socks was the subject of the book "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids' Letters to First Pets." In his "retirement" years with Currie, he made public appearances with her at animal-welfare events and at events for military families.
“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," the Clintons said in a statement released to People.com.