From the time the kittens were born, we thought Pinto to be the runt of the litter, and were concerned about his ability to survive. From the first day, the other newborns stepped on him as they squirmed blindly to find a nipple, and we were prepared to start bottle-feeding him if necessary. We gave him special handling, making sure that he got to nurse, but for the first two weeks we weren't sure he was getting as much as the others.

By the time the kittens got their land-legs and were starting to hop around on our bed, Pinto was still one of the smallest two, though he started to strengthen. He became the clown of the group. He'd make as if to attack, with a wild-eyed look on his little face, and rear up on his hind legs like a bear, waving his claws to fend off imaginary attackers, then fall backwards as if overcome. He was so ferocious he even scared himself!

In keeping with his clownish character, Pinto was the one who would always sleep in the "twisted kitty" position. Lying on his back, he'd describe an almost complete "U-turn" or "S-curve", his face and forepaws facing one direction, his hind-paws another. He still does this, clowning around to get attention.

Somewhere between the ages of 2 and 3 months, Pinto started an exercise program, and weekly weighings showed him gaining quickly. During that time, he passed Cinnamon as the weight leader of the whole litter, and developed a sizable lead which has remained unchallenged. At six months, when all of the kittens were neutered at U.C. Davis, Pinto weighed in at 10 pounds! He continues to grow, and is a strong, muscular cat with very silky, pettable fur.

We had long ago promised Tamaiti the position of number-one son. He has always been the most sociable, and his first struggling steps were toward me. Pinto would like to take that position, and were we not already committed, would find him hard to resist. He still has the same wide-eyed look of innocence that he's had since his eyes were fully opened, and he likes to stride boldly up to me, gazing at me with a look that says he's ready to be top cat. He loves to snuggle, and is starting to learn the fine arts of head-butting and leaning hard into the hand that scratches his head. He'll be a very affectionate and loyal cat for anyone who gives him the position and love that he craves.