RIP Socks

Socks, Former First Cat of the Clinton Administration, died today at the ripe old age of 20. He had been battling throat cancer since last fall.

Bill and Hillary Clinton issued the following statement:

"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."

After the Clintons left the White House, Socks went to live with Currie, President Clinton's personal secretary, with whom the cat shared a strong bond.

This news makes me very sad. I am a huge cat lover, and was always very fond of Socks. I even wrote him a fan letter when I was younger, to which he actually replied (or likely had one of his "people" reply for him). I still have my copy of Hillary's book titled "Dear Socks, Dear Buddy: Kids’ Letters to the First Pets." (For some reason, my childhood fan letter was mysteriously omitted from the publication.)

I know President Obama is intent on getting a pet dog for his daughters, but I think he should consider adding a feline companion to the household. This country needs another First Cat, although he or she will have some very big paws to fill.