A Tortoiseshell King Claimed the Throne Without Asking Anyone
He sits very straight, this tortoiseshell king, with a small gold crown perched between his ears. His coat is a patchwork of black and orange, and his amber eyes look out with calm authority. A red velvet robe heavy with gold embroidery drapes over his shoulders, white ermine fur tumbles across his chest, and one striped paw rests on the arm of a carved wooden throne topped with lion heads. Behind him the painting fades to deep brown shadow. The painter has caught every whisker and every stripe on the paw, so the king looks as if he might blink at any moment and ask for dinner.
Tortoiseshell cats are known for their mottled blend of black and orange, and many owners describe them as spirited, with plenty of opinions. That reputation, sometimes called tortitude, is just folklore, but it is fun to say. Almost all tortoiseshell cats are female because of how the coat color genes work. Cats of any color love a raised seat where they can survey the room, so a sturdy perch near a window or a cat tree gives them that throne feeling and helps them feel secure.
This ruler looks perfectly at home on his high seat, as though the crown was a gift he had been expecting. The lion carvings on either side almost seem to nod in agreement. All hail the king, who will accept tribute in the form of tuna.
