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Thr kitten lying on the Taranaki coast was just a handful of fluff when Colin Butler slipped her into his pocket about 13 years ago.

The cat that became known as Colin's spent 2 weeks in that pocket before taking her 1st steps at the Port Taranaki tanker terminal.

Today, Colin's is known world-wide for stowing away on a methanol tanker for Korea.

But in her early years, she was known only to ship and port workers - as the friend who ate when they ate, who followed them around the docks, who would venture onto New Zealand ships but never onto a foreign one.

As she grew, Colin's purged her territory of feral cats and drove off any non-human that ventured into the tanker terminal,including dogs.

But she was always friendly to people, and especially children.

"She was such a happy little soul," former tanker terminal manager Mr Butler said from his retirement home in Brisbane yesterday. "She's a very intelligent cat, with her own spirit, quite extraordinary."

Koreans loved her immediately, despite their fondness for cat soup. Korean sailors would yell, "Where's cat?" whenever they visited Port Taranaki.

A Korean engineer took Colin's onto the tanker Tomiwaka for a feed three weeks ago, just before it left port.

This weekend Whiskas petfood will pay for terminal superintendant Gordon MacPherson to fly to Yeosu to meet Colin's when she arrives in port - and fly her back home.

And what does Mr Butler think of all the fuss over the "so small, so kitenish" friend that bears his name?

"I'm astounded to think there's so much going on for a cat," he says.

"But as far as I am concerned, she's worth it."

Colin's the stoway cat received a heros welcome as her big adventure came to an end in New Plymouth yesterday.

A white limousine and several Television caneras met Colin's and her minder, Gordon MacPherson at the Airport after a flight from South Korea.

"Colin's is happy to

be back and she is in excellent condidton," Mr MacPherson said, stepping off the plane amid the cameras clicking.

"Meowwwwwwwww." agreed Colin's.

When she finally arrived at her home ar Port Taranaki yesterday, more than 50 workers, the Mayor and the Taranaki Cat Club reprensentatives cheered her arrival.

Once inside, Colin's was released from her cage, with more applause and camera clicking.

"Thanh you for coming to rescue me," said Colin's translator, Mr McPherson.

"When I settle down I will write to everyone, but todat I am a bit jetlagged. It's the first time I've beeb on a 747 aeroplane and I'm tired.

The Mayor thanked Colin's for bringing publicity to New Plymouth and awarded her an honorary ambassadorship of the city.

But Colin's was having none of it and ran into a corner.

Colin's was also made honorary member of the Cat's Club and invited to attend the 2002 show. Colin's head started twitching and her ears flattened.

A Whiska's spokesperson said Lucky Petfoods understood the special place pets had with people which is why it had helped reunite Colin's with people at the Port.

Whiskers also gave Colin's a lifetime supply of Whiskers cat food.

Then Colin's was taken outside and away from all people.

She looked purrfectly at home and even eyed a nearby bird.

Mr MacPherson said the trip went smoothly and people were very helpful.

I'm a little bit tired. I've had about 10 hours sleep since I left."

He said he and Colin's received first class treatment all the way and Korean Airlines upgraded his seat.

Mr MacPherson's parting words to Colin's before heading for rest himself was: Don't ever talk to any strangers again."

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Mandy was one of those cats, well loved, but somehow always a pain to the owners.
Came the day when she took her final visit to the vet.
A few days later the wife came home and found an unmarked brown envelope sitting on the windowledge. She gave it to her husband who discovered to his dismay that it contained a white powder.
Husband naturally called the police who took it away for investigation, while the man of the house was instructed to shower and wash his clothes, just incase it was anthrax.
Investigations revealed the remains of a cat, and the penny dropped!
Not wanting to upset the owner, the vet had slipped the envelope through the open window.
"See", said the husband, "she is still being a pain!"