George Bush: Mourns death of beloved White House cat with family

George Bush: Mourns death of beloved White House cat with family

Was it the American "first cat"?

American President George W. Bush and his family are mourning the loss of their 18 year-old female black American Shorthair cat, who died Sunday at the White House.

"The President, Mrs. Bush, Barbara, and Jenna are deeply saddened by the passing of their cat India," the office of First Lady Laura Bush said in a statement on the White House Web site. "India was a beloved member of the Bush family for almost two decades. She will be greatly missed."

At the age of 9, Bush's daughter Barbara named the cat "India" after Ruben Sierra, a former major league baseball player whose nickname was "El Indio."

When the girls went away to college, India -- who was called "Kitty" by the family -- stayed at the White House with the President.

The Bush family has two other pets, Barney and Miss Beazley, both Scottish Terriers.