A Brown Tabby Marquis Wears a Ruff Like a White Cloud
The ruff is dazzling, and the face inside it is perfectly calm. A brown tabby American Shorthair with green eyes and bold dark stripes gazes out from a billowing white lace collar. His coat is olive-green velvet embroidered with delicate leaf patterns, and the sleeves are softly wrinkled where he has rested his arms. In the background, a grey-green wall and a hint of drapery set the tone for a quiet, old-fashioned parlor.
The painter's skill shows in the textures. The velvet looks soft as moss, the lace seems almost to rustle, and the cat's fur is painted in tiny strokes that follow each stripe on his forehead. Even the small gold leaves on his collar have a gentle, worn gleam, as if the coat had been handed down through several generations.
American Shorthairs are sturdy, easygoing cats with a long history as working companions, catching mice on farms and ships. The brown tabby coloring is one of the most common and classic. They are usually friendly, adaptable and good with families, and they tend to enjoy play without being overly demanding. They can gain weight if overfed, so measure meals and keep up daily play. A short coat needs just a weekly brushing. Ask your vet about diet, dental care and checkups to keep your cat healthy.
The marquis has dressed for dinner, and he would like it noted that dinner is overdue.
