Ponyboy had always wanted a cat. They seemed loyal enough, but weren't needy, like dogs were. Cats could get their own food if they had to, and although they needed some attention, they didn't need it constantly.
But, alas, his brothers would always tease him.
"Cats are for girls, Ponyboy! Dogs are a man's best friend!" they would exclaim.
So Ponyboy never told anyone he loved cats. But after living with Randy for a couple of months, he finally admitted he did like cats.
That year, for his birthday, Randy had gotten him a three-year-old tabby named Rowdy.