WASHINGTON (CNN) – Socks, the cat who won international fame during his years in the Clinton White House, was euthanized Friday after months of treatment for cancer. 
Socks was adopted by Chelsea Clinton when her father was governor of Arkansas. 
Socks, who was born in 1989, was put to sleep about 10 a.m. at Three Notch Veterinary Clinic in Hollywood, Maryland, said veterinary assistant Rae Dera. Veterinarians say he was probably either 19 or 20 years old.
The cat had been losing weight since November and had been treated at the clinic, Dera said. He had been suffering from a cancer in his mouth and jaw.
“Socks brought much happiness to Chelsea and us over the years, and enjoyment to kids and cat lovers everywhere,” Bill and Hillary Clinton said in a joint statement released by the William J. Clinton Foundation. “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 black-and-white feline was a fixture at the White House during the Clintons’ eight-year run. He was often photographed on the president’s shoulder and was given free rein of the presidential residence – showing up in photos in the Oval Office and White House press briefing room.
Aww. That’s a good long life though. You gotta love that 
I just read that and it is sad. Socks, the former First Cat, was a fine cat. I have a little cat named socks too, with white paws. Thankfully my Socks is in good shape.
I had a male “Tuxedo” cat. They are really smart and very affectionate, but any cat that lives to 19 or 20 years is always amazing.
I’m not much of a cat person (allergic), but 20 years seems like an extraordinarily long time for a cat to live. What is normal?
Many indoor only cats live that long. My cats that I had growing up both lived to be that old.
Very sad about Socks but he led quite the life!
I’m not much of a cat person (allergic), but 20 years seems like an extraordinarily long time for a cat to live. What is normal?
It depends on the breed of cat and other factors. A cat living to 20 years is remarkable, but normal is anywhere from 12-15 years.
I don’t like cats and I’m not a fan of the Clintons … BUT … I am generally an animal lover and (with 4 dogs of my own) can feel the pain involved in the loss of a beloved family member. That is sad news. Like someone else said, however, the cat lived a very good life, which is what we should all hope for.