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Nshima & Curry

Melvin's  Blog

Nshima & Curry

OBITUARY FOR A BELOVED PET

Buddy, beloved chocolate Labrador of former President Bill
Clinton, died tragically at about 12:15 p.m. on Jan. 2. Only
4 1/2 (almost 32 in human years), he was in the prime of his
life, with many bones left to bury, many carpets left to
stain.

Buddy was unquestionably the most popular dog in America. He
received thousands of letters during Clinton's presidency,
many from Republican admirers who addressed their mail
simply to "The dog in the White House."

The former First Dog was struck by a car after chasing a
contractor's van off the Clinton property in Chappaqua, New
York. Secret Service agents had rushed after Buddy, but
failed to stop him, leading security experts to question
whether the government spends enough money to protect VIPs
(very important pets). Tom Ridge, U.S. homeland security
director, asked another critical question: "What if Bill
Clinton had run after a car? Could we have saved him?"

Buddy was adopted by the Clintons as a 3-month-old puppy in
December 1997 and quickly asserted himself as the nation's
top dog. He accompanied Bill Clinton on many of his travels,
met foreign leaders who visited the White House, and spent
more time under the president's desk than any intern.

When tension mounted between Clinton and Al Gore, political
observers wondered if Buddy had become "the real vice
president." Said political analyst George Stephanopoulos:
"Buddy once chased a pesticide company's van, barking louder
than ever. That made us realize that Buddy, like Al Gore,
cared deeply about the environment."

When Hillary Clinton left the White House to campaign in New
York, Buddy moved into the presidential bedroom and had his
way with the presidential pillows. "I tried to get him to
stop," Clinton said. "I said, 'Buddy, if you don't cut it
out, the Republicans will try to impeach you.'"

Aside from chasing cars, his favorite hobbies included
chewing socks, eating anything that looked like food, and
barking at Sam Donaldson. "He loved to fetch things,"
Clinton said. "I'd be sitting in the Oval Office and I'd
say, 'Buddy, go fetch the ball' and he'd run outside and get
a ball. I'd say, 'Buddy, go fetch Monica,' and he'd run
outside and get a ball. He really knew what was good for
me."

Despite his friendly nature, Buddy did not get along with
the Clintons' other pet, Socks the cat, who often hissed at
the dog. "Buddy liked socks," Clinton said. "Just not that
kind of socks."

Socks and Buddy were featured in a 1998 book "Dear Socks,
Dear Buddy, Kids' Letters to the First Pets." Socks later
authored several other books, including "Buddy is not my
buddy," "Buddy is cruddy," and "Buddy, you fuddy-duddy."

Buddy is survived by his mother, Bunny, an unknown deadbeat
dad, four brothers, five sisters, 24 half-brothers, 32
half-sisters, four pillows and a tattered sock.

On the night of his death, Buddy was honored at sporting
events throughout the country. Fans and players rose to
their feet and observed a moment of barking.

Buddy was laid to rest with full honors, his funeral
attended by dignitaries from around the world, both human
and canine. Socks the cat did not attend and did not send a
representative. Socks released a statement through his
spokesman, saying, "The death of Buddy proves what I have
been saying for a long time: Dogs are dumb! You'll never see
a cat chasing a van. We don't have nine lives -- we have
brains!"

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