PeeWee aka the Grumpy Ol' Bastard:

Male tabby, age 3-he came to us as a very young feral kitten at a RV Park. There was a little dark grey kitten that ran around with him. We had dubbed him Smokey, but a lady who lived in the RV park gathers up all the kittens she can find in the Fall before it gets too cold and finds homes for them. Obviously, she could not catch Pee Wee, because he took refuge with us, but we never saw his little friend again.

He loves to be outside all of the time, but has been known to stay in the house long enough to establish it his domain. He also has an attitude problem with other country critters, and comes home with lots of scrapes and battle scars, which contributes to his moodiness.

He was born a city cat, and when he was about 10 months old, we moved to the country. He loved it! After the first couple of nights, he found out very quickly that he had alot to learn about country life. Critters here won't take any crap, and you better know how to defend your territory.

Pee Wee came home that evening looking like he had tangled with a racoon or a wildcat. Poor fellow was battered from one end to the other, with cuts and scratches all over his head. He ate his food like he had been without nourishment for three days, and after filling his belly he lay down on the back of the sofa and bathed his wounds. He clearly was in a bad mood, and has yet to get over it. That was three years ago!

His favorite snack is cheese and has to have a slice every day. He will not eat it in a dish because he wants you to tear it into four strips, then tear the strips into four pieces. Oh...and each piece has to be handed to him. He will not touch it if placed on a dish or the floor.

After he devours his cheese, he expects to get a bowl of milk to wash it down. When he gets his fill of milk, he will then go lay down, groom himself, and take a nap. He has certain places that he will lay, like the back of the sofa, the bed, on my table in my hobby studio, a kitchen chair, or the chair at the computer.

Pee Wee doesn't like to be a "lap kitty" because he feels that it takes away from his tough guy image. He received a royal education out in the woods, not just once, but twice. I think it has ruined any chance of him becoming too "lovey-dovey". He will show signs of wanting to play, but he gets very agressive, and then just as quickly becomes very defensive. It's like he is in survival mode all the time.

He does love to go for walks with "dad". When he was still a baby, living in the city, he would walk to the corner store with "dad", wait for him outside the store, and then walk all the way back home. Hubby said it's like taking a dog for a walk, but he doesn't need a leash. Pee Wee will stay with him or I, step for step, when we go for a walk and it is great to see that he actually enjoys it!

Pee Wee is the ruling rooster among all the felines in our family. He has established that with each new cat that has come into our family right from the beginning. He does not hesitate to let them know that he is the boss, and they better just leave him alone! Each one has developed a healthy respect for him.

That is how he got the nickname Grumpy Ol' Bastard, because he is one. He is a talker too, and will not hesitate to tell you just how he feels about life!