A Calico Baron Checked His Golden Pocket Watch. You're Late.
Punctuality, it seems, is a matter of honor for this calico baron. Holding an open golden pocket watch in a white-gloved paw, the cat stares straight ahead with amber eyes and an expression that suggests you are late. A forest green velvet coat dripping with gold embroidery and fringed epaulettes sits across the shoulders, and a lacy white cravat spills from the collar. The face is a striking mix of white, ginger and black patches, with a pink nose and a few freckle-like spots on the cheeks. The dark, crackled background makes the gold details glow.
Calico describes a coat of three colors, usually white with patches of orange and black, rather than a specific breed. Because of how the genes for orange and black coloring work, nearly all calico cats are female; male calicos exist but are very rare. So this distinguished baron might more accurately be a baroness. Calicos appear in many breeds and in everyday domestic cats, and many owners swear they have spirited, independent personalities, though temperament really depends on the individual cat. Like any cat, they thrive on routine, play and regular vet visits.
Pocket watches were prized accessories for gentlemen in the early 1800s and appeared in portraits as signs of wealth, sophistication and a well-ordered life.
Whatever appointment this calico is keeping, it is surely important. Dinner, most likely, served precisely on time.
