Clinton's 'Socks the Cat' Near Death

US News and World Report ^ | December 12, 2008 05:25 PM ET | Paul Bedard

[lewisglad]

Clinton's Socks the Cat Near Death December 12, 2008 05:25 PM ET | Bedard, Paul | Permanent Link By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers.

We have some bad news today on the presidential pet front. Socks the cat, probably the most photographed presidential kitty in history, has cancer and isn't expected to live. "His days are numbered," says Barry Landau, a friend of Socks' master, Betty Currie.

Landau, a presidential historian and author of The President's Table, tells our Suzi Parker that the Currie family could have put Socks on feeding tubes, but decided against it.

"They fear he is too old," adds Landau, who is writing a book on presidential inaugurations. And a second source told us that Socks is gravely ill.

Recall that Currie, who lives in Southern Maryland and was Bill Clinton's personal secretary, took Socks after the Democrats left office. At the time, Hillary Clinton had been elected to the Senate and Bubba was moving to New York to run his foundation.

In recent years, Socks has been hanging out at Currie's Hollywood, Md., home and sometimes making guest appearances. But since we last wrote about Socks, his conditions have worsened and included weight loss and kidney problems.

Southern Maryland Newspapers Online did a wonderful story about this last year, quoting Currie's husband Bob saying what lots of us pet owners say: Socks "lives better than I do."

Linda Kulman, who ghost wrote Hillary Clinton's book, Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids's Letters To First Pets, was saddened by the news, telling me, "He is the last of his kind."

For the book, Kulman, says she "spent time" with Socks and Clinton's first pup Buddy. "He was nothing but a gentleman. He was elegant and a perfect resident of the White House." She adds, "he won't soon be replaced."

The Clintons adopted Socks in 1991, when Bill was still governor of Arkansas. Neither the Curries nor the Clintons had immediate comment.

[Revolting cat!]

I bet the cat was the last person in this country to know about 0bama’s birthplace!

[Revolting cat!]

Something suspicious about this happening at the time of Blagogate. Coincidence, right?

[My hearts in London - Everett]

Hey, toomuchcoffee (appropriate name, lol) I have a dog that I love, she's a great dog. I'll be sad and will probably cry for a few minutes when she dies and will miss her, but I won't put a notice in the local paper or pay hundreds for a gravesite! She's a dog! I simply have a problem with people who seem to put animals that God put here for us to enjoy on such par with his human creation that it's considered news. And I'm leaving now 'cause this is one of the silliest exchanges I've ever gotten into here on FR. :~D

(But thanks for taking me off Santa's "blacklist"!)

[Dianna]

He’s nothing BUT trouble.

You've got it easy! My kitty runs ahead of me down the stairs, then hides in plain sight so he can attack my leg as I pass by. Even after the de-clawing, it's a frightening experience!

[cubreporter]

Like I said: “no trouble.” :)

[Slings and Arrows]

[Slings and Arrows]

[Kitten Festival]

Poor kitty. I thought they murdered the poor cat years ago. Poor thing was used for Klintoon photo ops and then discarded by those users. The kitty just needed love, and that was too much to ask of them.

[dfwgator]

Arkancide?

[bootless]

oh noes!

[Kitten Festival]

I agree, I am offended. These are God’s creatures.

[Political Junkie Too]

Recall that Currie, who lives in Southern Maryland and was Bill Clinton's personal secretary, took Socks after the Democrats left office. At the time, Hillary Clinton had been elected to the Senate and Bubba was moving to New York to run his foundation.

Right, as if otherwise for that, they would have gladly kept Socks for themselves.

At least Socks had a happy home once she left the White House.

-PJ

[Kitten Festival]

Good one! LOL!

[Kitten Festival]

Kitties just want love. Feed them steak!

[Fred Nerks]

stupid people, look at us, we don't need ladders...

[Secret Agent Man]

Well, God Bless that little cat. Had a pretty good long life, and is with a caring and loving family that will be there with him.

God Bless all of our pets, the little animal friends that make our lives better just by being them.

[uglybiker]

If "socks" could talk, there are a lot of things we would know which would put paid to all of those closet skeletons.

If that cat could talk, what tales he'd tell
'Bout Della and the Dealer and the dog as well...

[happinesswithoutpeace]

: (

[LucyT]

“But the cat was cool, and he never said a mumblin’ word.”

[Bellflower]

Praise The LORD I have had 5 or more kitties that have lived past 20. That is not so unusual for cats. It is so hard to lose them. It seems the older they get the more cozy and lovey dovey they become. The connection grows so strong. I have many health remedies for kitties that need extra boost to remain happily with us.