In Memoriam

By Romana Annette 02/25/2009

This is a memorial essay to Socks, formerly known as Socks Clinton, who died on February 20, 2009 at the age of eighteen.  Socks finally found relief, after struggling with terminal cancer for well over a year.

Socks was the First Cat for many years in the White House.  Socks had been born in the house of Chelsea’s piano teacher in 1991.  Socks adopted Chelsea by leaping into her arms; he was off to the White House and his rise to power.  He quietly walked the floors of an institution famous for generation after generation of mostly dogs.  Socks was a pioneer.

As a tuxedo-cat, Socks was always formally dressed for all those obligatory press conferences.  Socks seemed to have no where to go but up.

Everything changed in 1997: Buddy the Labrador retriever arrived.  Socks thought buddy was the Anti-dog and instantly despised the demonic pooch.  Soon, Buddy usurped Socks coveted position as First Pet.  It had been a devastating fall from grace.  As a result, Socks decided to leave the Clintons, so he moved in with Betty Currie, President Clinton’s secretary.  He was Betty’s beloved pet until he died last Friday.

Buddy was killed by a car in 2002.  Socks always denied having anything to do with it.  However, he did add, that Bill Clinton did not get into trouble sexually until shortly after reckless Buddy arrived.  Socks said the dog was always bad luck.

Despite pleas that it is now time for a cat to dominate the White House scene again, President Obama has ruled against it because of allergies, Breeds such Devon Rex’s are not known to cause allergies, but they are not tuxedo-cats.

In our household, we have two tuxedo-cats: Clyde and Rachel Ann.  Clyde has no political ambitions, and Rachel Ann says he is too old anyway, since he is approaching eighteen.  Besides, Clyde is a medium-hair-length Manx, not a domestic short-hair.  Rachel Ann, on the other hand, is very ambitious and wants to rule the entire Universe.

Both Clyde and Rachel Ann recently visited the White House to interview as the next First Cat.  They were both rejected; Rachel Ann was quite bitter.