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US First Cat 'India' dies

(Agencies)
Updated: 2009-01-06 11:50

WASHINGTON – The Bush family's 18-year-old cat, India, has died at the White House, First Lady Laura Bush's office announced Monday.

This official White House photograph shows White House pet India, on the South Lawn of the White House dressed for Halloween 31 October 2007 in Washington, DC. The Bush family's 18-year-old cat, India, has died at the White House, First Lady Laura Bush's office announced on January 5, 2009. [Agencies]

"The president, Mrs. Bush, Barbara, and Jenna are deeply saddened by the passing of their cat India ("Willie")," press secretary Sally McDonough said in a statement.

"India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed," she said.

The black American Shorthair, which lived with President George W. Bush and his wife at the White House, died Sunday.

India was named by Barbara Bush after a former Texas Ranger baseball player, Ruben Sierra, who was called "El Indio," but the cat was called "Willie" or "Kitty" by the family.