Last September we adopted a beautiful little black farm kitten and named her Bella. Unfortunately because of a rare birth defect we only had her for 6 weeks.

As Christmas rolled around last year, our grandson only wanted another kitten. His family had 2 dogs and we lived next door. We took a deep breath and got a new little kitten the week before Christmas. We have had 3 cats in the past and each lived a long time. Granny (don't ask) lived to be 22 years old. Then came Smokey (our only boy) who lived to 18 years and finally little Gabby who blessed us with 17 years. I figured since I am now in my 60s this new kitten should get me through to my 80s.

The only thing I told my friend at the farm was I wanted a little female. When she sent me a photo of this tiny little kitten we brought her home that same day. Just to be on the safe side, I took her to the vet and besides a cold, everything was looking good. Till the following week, when I took her in for a follow up and some more shots. Our little girl was a BOY!! Wait a darn minute. You mean the farmer's wife and the vet did not know a boy kitten from a girl? After we all finished laughing I found out that apparently with little boy kittens it takes a little time for things to become obvious.

Now what? My mother always says: "Who Keeps Boy Cats?" Then she laughs because her cat Max is her best friend. I had only had one male cat these last 40 years, and while my daughter adored him, he was pretty much in his own world. He was sort of a klutz. Couldn't catch a mouse at all. We loved him like all of our cats, and he lived to be 17 years old. But now we really wanted a little female. Things happen for a reason and Mr. Teddy Bear (that was the name he was given by my grandchildren) has become a much loved spoiled BOY CAT.

At almost 1 year old, Teddy has changed our whole lifestyle. Where we were used to cats that found us and were outdoor cats except to eat or sleep this guy became a house cat. We keep reminding him of his days at the farm but he does not respond.

My daughter laughs at me with all the toys I have bought Mr. Teddy and when I brought in the 4-foot-high tower she rolled her eyes and asked why all of our other cats never got these sorts of things?

I guess since I am home all day now, I have more time to watch what Teddy gets into. My mom's phrase "Who Keeps Boy Cats?" keeps going over and over in my mind as he tears around our house, sliding into the walls and rolling down the stairs. And he is the strangest cat. The only one that if you call his name or say here kitty kitty kitty he never reacts. Not even a twitch of his tail or ears.

I write this after explaining to Mr. Teddy that jumping high into the air and taking out a beautiful Monarch Butterfly is just not done in this family. I don't think he understood but as fast as he got that butterfly I feel assured he will be able to catch any mice that venture in this Winter. At least I hope so. I am now teaching him how to let us know when he wants to come in by jumping in the window.

Who Keeps Boy Cats? We do!