Q New subject? Is the President taking or going to have any White House personnel or government personnel in his private home in New York? Are they taking any of their help with them, and how does this go?
MR. LOCKHART: The President, as you know, travels with people from security to military to people like me, White House staff. I think at the home, there will be some security, obviously, and for equally obvious reasons I'm not going to talk about the details of that. As is when he travels in private homes, whether it be friends around the country or -- let me keep going -- or when he used to go back to Little Rock, there will be some small group of staff that go with him, but who will stay where the press pool stays, presumably.
Q I'm talking about a household staff that will run that house, actually. I'm sure that -- you know, 10 maids and 10 mops.
MR. LOCKHART: I don't think you will find 10 maids and 10 mops there.
Q But there won't be any government personnel?
MR. LOCKHART: The President, as the President, as all Presidents, and I think that those of you who used to travel to Santa Barbara and those of you who used to travel to Kennebunkport will know, that there are some government personnel that attend to the President for a variety of needs, who travel with him when he travels.
Q When the President is there, but I'm talking about the house, itself, when he's not there.
MR. LOCKHART: Oh, there would be no one there, as far as I know.
Q Kitty custody, did you find out who is going to get Socks?
MR. LOCKHART: My understanding on the cat and dog question is that they will remain here at the White House for some time.

• webmaster@mfa.gov.tr - Ismail Cem(Turkish Minister of Foreign Affairs)
• webmaster@basbakanlik.gov.tr - Bulent Ecevit (Turkish Prime Minister)
• http://www.tbmm.gov.tr/main.htm - TBMM (Turkish Parliament)
• president@whitehouse.gov - President Bill Clinton
• first.lady@whitehouse.gov - First Lady Hillary Clinton
• secretary@state.gov - Secretary of State Madeline Allbright

1. My life is likely to last 10-15 years. Any separation from you will be painful for me. So please remember this when you get me.
2. Give me time to understand what you want of me.
3. Place your trust in me. It is crucial to my well-being.
4. Don't be angry with me for long, and don't lock me up as punishment. You have your work, school, entertainment, and friends. I have only you.
5. Talk to me sometimes. Even if I don't understand your words, I understand your voice.
6. Be aware that however you treat me, I will never forget.
7. Before you hit me, remember that I have teeth that could easily crush the bones in your hand, but that I choose not to bite or hurt you.
8. Before you scold me for being uncooperative, obstinate, or lazy, ask yourself what might be bothering me. Perhaps I'm not getting the right food: I've been out in the sun too long or my heart might be getting old and weak.
9. Take good care of me when I am old. You too will grow old.
10. Remember that I love you. Life is better for me because you are there.

    ANGEL ANIMALS is a website about amazing human experiences with animals. You can visit them at http://www.angelanimals.com and or subscribe to their free montlhy on-line newsletter at AngelAnimals-on@mail-list.com. Angel Animals founders Allen and Linda Anderson write: "Story after story shows how we can learn gratitude, joy, survival, courage, forgiveness, patience, and unconditional love from our beloved pets and creatures in nature. Animals helping in dreams, giving to those who are suffering, and protecting us from danger offer a delightful mix of experiences, shared by so many individuals."
    Their newsletter features a rich trove of articles about how animals and humans help each other. Apropos to our Washington connection, here is a sample:
"Animals in Disasters, Part A and B, are free courses offered by the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA). These free booklets are valuable resources for saving animals' lives if there is a natural disaster in your area. They can also help you to prevent loss of property and human lives. For further information, e-mail FEMA at mailto:Independent.Study@fema.gov."

(en Englais:) Dear Socks The Cat:
    I had the pleasure of reading your story in the magazine TO EVERY CAT and I can tell you that, except for a few things, we could be twins.
    My name is FILOU in French, the rascal.
    Like you, I am a neutered male, 8 years old (15 April 1991). In all modesty, I am very handsome with my multi-colored black and white fur, my white socks on all four feet and my rascally air.
    For five years, I have lived with Simone and Maurice, two recently retired doctors.
    Before that, I was with their son Thierry.
    I live in a villa near Paris. I lead a simple, happy life. You, the most powerful cat in the world with protection nearby and bodyguards, me, an unknown cat, no fuss, no particular protection because nobody wants to kidnap me.
    I have my garden and my house, I sleep wherever I like in three rooms or in Simone’s and Maurice’s bed. In the morning, I get up at the same time Maurice does, around 7:00, and I wake up Simone who gives me some croquettes. Then I take a walk around the garden. Like you, I eat twice a day. Simone prepares my well-balanced meal as though for a baby. After my meal, around 8:00, I go for a stroll.
    I am happy in my garden. From time to time, I run away, secretly, because I don’t want Simone to know. She’s afraid that I fight with the street cats. My favorite spot is a large fir at the back of the garden. It’s my observatory; from there I lie in wait for birds because I like to trap them.
In the morning, from time to time I come back and sit behind the window that looks out on the street to watch the pretty white pussycat that perches on the wall. She’s really pretty; I want to kiss her.
    Towards noon, Simone gives me a little bit of fish to calm me down, and at 2:00 pm, after a little bit of rest in my room on the second floor, I wander into the garden. I stroll around on the lawn, scratch trees to sharpen my claws, eat some grass – and you, can you do these things? You say you have bodyguards; that’s normal, since you are the king of the world, whereas I am not a star and I’m sure nobody would kidnap me. I am very wise and I don’t do stupid things. I don’t scratch the curtains or the furniture. In the evening I go in around 6:30 and Simone has already prepared my dinner.
    After I eat, I wander around the house a little. Sometimes I watch TV with Simone and Maurice so Maurice can scratch my neck or Simone can coddle me on her knees.
    You have a doggie living with you, the Clintons’ labrador. I have a parrot named Emerald, who is a gray bird with a red tail. He’s been with Simone and Maurice since he was born. He’s already 25 years old. We make a good family together. He talks a lot and he calls me a bad boy, he says that sometimes.
Emerald is beautiful, the cat is not. He’s good at whistling the Marseillaise and he sings some French songs and, in your language, he says “How are you.” Alain, Simon and Maurice’s oldest son, taught him that.
    Let’s talk a little bit about our future!
    I am doing well and I often travel with S and M to our house in the Midi or to our family home in Corrèze.
    With all my heart, I hope that after the year 2000 you'll still be in the White House with Hillary and Bill – who knows if Hillary will replace Bill in your house?
In closing, I send you a big kiss. Perhaps later I'll send you a photo of myself with Emerald.
    -- Your little friend, FILOU

Cher Filou:
    Merci beaucoups! And thank you to Tammy Huck for translating!
-- SOCKS THE CAT

     Visit CLAW, the secret society for cats who rule their owners, at http://claw.org. To join, you must pass the following quiz:

1. Are you a cat ?
2. Do you rule your people in most ways ?
3. Is it your goal to extend your influence into the ways where you fail to rule them ?
4. Can you answer "All of the above ? "

ON THE HOME FRONT: THE CHOICE IS YOURS
Contributed by Patricia Hilgard