Shackleton and his twin brother Katao were brought to us in 2005, by their mother.

She was a stray tabby cat that was seeking shelter from some harsh weather.

We took her in, and she littered four kittens.

After having them all spayed and neutered, we found homes for three of them.

We kept Shackleton and His brother.

Of all the kittens, Shackleton was the most courageous from day one.

Shackleton's first act of defiance was immediately after opening his eyes.

After repeated attempts to escape the covered porch, and many close calls, Shackleton caught his tail in the screen door and broke it. He never complained, he was just happy to be outside. His tail is now kinked at the end, and as he walks around his tail looks like a periscope.  

He earned his name.

As smart as he is and as trainable as he is, we cannot curb his lust for the outdoors. He keeps an eye on the front yard through the window,.. from his perch,..  in my flower pot.

He has a cat tree to use for his perch, but he prefers sitting in the dirt.

I can only laugh at my defiant little broken tailed buddy Shackleton, he is definitely my cat.