The Calico Explorer Spotted Land and Reached for Her Telescope

A feathered tricorn hat sits at a jaunty angle on this calico explorer, shading eyes the color of green tea. Her face is a patchwork of orange, white and black, with a pink nose and long white whiskers. A leather strap crosses the chest of her forest-green coat, and the brass telescope hanging from it catches the light. Gold leaf embroidery runs along the edges, and a frothy lace cravat is tucked under her chin. Behind her, the dark background hints at long voyages and uncharted shores.

Calico describes a coat color, not a breed, and it shows up in many kinds of cats. The tricolor pattern is almost always seen in females. Cats are natural explorers at heart, and a bored indoor cat often just needs somewhere interesting to look and climb. A window perch with a view of birds or trees works like a telescope for them, and puzzle feeders or a cardboard box fort can add a little adventure to the day. If your cat likes to bolt for the door, talk to your vet about microchipping so she can always find her way home.

This explorer has the look of a captain who has already charted the entire sofa and is now considering the bookshelf. We hope the spyglass spots something worthwhile, like a sunbeam or a bowl of cream.