The First Cat has been found
poisenivy
Ernie The Cat Discovered On Avenue Of The Stars
Paul J. Young, Staff Writer
April 10, 2001, 9:51 p.m. EDT
CENTURY CITY, Calif. -- Ernie the cat is back. The feline that President
Bush adopted and left in the care of a Brentwood buddy was found wandering
the Avenue Of The Stars in Century City Monday night.
Ernie survives month on Los Angeles mean streets
He was taken to the Wilshire Animal Hospital Tuesday for a checkup, and by
all accounts, the orange-and-white tabby is doing just fine.
Ernie's been a member of the first family since President Bush was governor
of Texas.
According to reports, the president and first lady decided against bringing
the cat to the White House for fear he might damage the furniture.
Press aides to the president have referred to Ernie as a "free spirit" with
a reputation for sinking his claws into most things, including Mr. Bush.
The first family left the six-toed cat with friend and fund-raiser Brad
Freeman just prior to Inauguration Day.
According to Freeman, Ernie immediately made himself at home but got into
the bad habit of stretching his claws on furnishings in the investment
banker's posh Brentwood home.
Instead of de-clawing him, Freeman had plastic caps affixed to Ernie's paws.
It wasn't long after that the president's cat hit the road.
According to Freeman's housekeeper, Ernie was located by a night watchman,
who noticed the well-groomed feline wandering down the Avenue Of The Stars,
perhaps hoping to get noticed.
He did.