Tuesday, September 4, 2012

Is Pete a Dog or a Cat?

by Jennifer Dowling

Have you ever wondered what kind of animal Pete is? I have. He resembles a cat, but in later years when he was featured on Goof Troup, he did seem to resemble a dog at times.

According to Wikipedia, Pete, also known by a few alias' such as Bad Pete, Sneaky Pete, and the one I remember from my childhood, Peg-leg Pete is a cat. 

Did you know he originally started out as an anthropomorphic bear in 1925? But by 1928, he became a black cat, the persona he is most associated with. His species later became more ambiguous in the Goof Troop franchise where he appeared more canine.

Pete is the oldest continuing Disney character, having debuted three years before Mickey Mouse in the cartoon Alice Solves the Puzzle. Although never a central character, Pete has also made many appearances in Disney comics, and often appeared as a sidekick in the Mickey Mouse comic strip.

Pete is often typecast as a villain, but on some occasions, Pete has even played a sympathetic character, all the while maintaining his underlying menacing nature. Pete was Mickey Mouse's nemesis, but would vary in professions, from an all-out outlaw to a brutal law-enforcer.

My first memories of Pete are from a book my grandfather used to read me. I no longer remember the name of the book, nor much of the story line, but Pete was called Peg-leg Pete



 in the story and was some what of a pirate, if my memory serves me right. It was a favorite book of mine and I remember just how scary Pete seemed to be to me. Because of that book, I always have called him Peg-leg Pete, though once Goof Troup came out in the early 90's, I relaxed a bit and started calling him just plain old Pete. I have to admit that having a son who was around the ages of 4 or 5 at the time, we watched MANY episodes of Goof Troop!

Pete now appears in numerous episodes of Mickey Mouse Clubhouse. He maintains his protagonist and semi-antagonist role, but he is significantly toned down for its preschool audience. Mickey and gang are very forgiving of Pete now. Pete also now appears to have more feelings and forgotten morals and often feels bad when he tries to cheat the gang.



So there you have it! Pete started out as a bear, turned into a cat a few years later, had a few dog like moments, but still is considered a cat by many Disney fans!

While you cannot currently meet Pete in the Disney theme parks you may find his portrait in various locations.  He also is the "host" of the new Storybook Circus meet & greet (not yet open as of this blog publish date), Pete's Silly Sideshow, that will feature Minnie Magnifique, Madame Daisy Fortuna, The Great Goofini, and the Astounding Donaldo.  Many fans hope that Pete will eventually make an appearance here...only time will tell!

4 comments:

  1. Maybe Black Pete could meet and greet the gang singing Bob Dylan's the Weight...like Craig Robinson does in the Hay Day TV Commercial.

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  2. Pete is A Cat Because in Kingdom Hearts 2 When You Hit Him He Says Meow And in A Mickey Mouse Clubhouse Episode it's Revealed That Like Most Cats Pete Likes To Play With Thread!!!

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