Hobbes

As quoted from Bill Watterson:

"Named after a seventeenth-century philosopher with a dim view of human nature, Hobbes has the patient dignity and common sense of most animals I've met. Hobbes was very much inspired by one of our cats, a gray tabby named Sprite. Sprite not only provided the long body and facial characteristics for Hobbes, she also was the model for his personality. She was good-natured, intelligent, friendly, and enthusiastic in a sneaking-up-and-pouncing sort of way. Sprite suggested the idea of Hobbes greeting Calvin at the door in midair at high velocity.

The so-called "gimmick" of my strip -- the two versions of Hobbes -- is sometimes misunderstood. I don't think of Hobbes as a doll that miraculously comes to life when Calvin's around. Neither do I think of Hobbes as the product of Calvin's imagination. . . . Calvin sees Hobbes one way, and everyone else sees Hobbes another way. I show two versions of reality, and each makes complete sense to the participant who sees it. I think that's how life works. None of us sees the world exactly the same way, and I just draw that literally in the strip."

As quoted from Me:

Hobbes is the greatest pouncing machine known to man. He always pounces on calvin. Although he and Calvin continually fight, they always get along regardless of their obvious differences. Hobbes is always willing to share his cat knowledge with Calvin while he's doing his homework...In exchange for food of course. Hobbes always pounces on calvin when he returns home from school, and Calvin either forgets this will happen or tries to trick Hobbes so he can enter the house safely.