Despite what our opinions may be in regards to US politics over the past 8 years, the Ruby Scoop team would like to send our condolences to the Bush family for the passing of India, the "first cat". The Bush family's 18 year-old cat  passed away just weeks before they were due to leave the White House.

According to a statement from the first lady's office, India died peacefully at home on Sunday January 4th. India, a black American Shorthair, was named after former Texas Rangers player Ruben Sierra, whose nickname was "El Indio", but was often affectionately called "Kitty" by the family.

India was often overshadowed by the family's more high-profile Scottish Terriers, Barney and Miss Beazley. In 2004 angry youths in India burned an effigy of President Bush because they felt that naming his cat India was an insult to their country. Poor kitty!

RIP India.