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Socks, the Clinton cat, dies

February 21, 2009 at 3:10PM

In this March 19, 1994 file photo, Socks the cat peers over the podium in the White House briefing room in Washington. Socks, the White House cat during the Clinton administration, has died. He was about 18. Socks had lived with Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie, in Hollywood, Md., since the Clintons left the White House in early 2001. (Paulette Henderson — ASSOCIATED PRESS file/The Minnesota Star Tribune)

Socks, the White House cat during the Clinton administration who waged war on Buddy the pup, has died. He was around 18. Socks had lived with Bill Clinton's secretary, Betty Currie, in Hollywood, Md., since the Clintons left the White House in early 2001. Currie confirmed Socks' death Friday evening and said she was "heartbroken." She did not give details.

Socks was what feline-lovers call a tuxedo cat -- mostly black with white down the front and belly and on his feet. Chelsea Clinton's pet first appeared in the news in November 1992 after then-Gov. Bill Clinton won the presidency.

ASSOCIATED PRESS