The Calico Astronomer Reached Out to Give a Planet a Nudge
A glowing brass orrery stands on a small wooden table beside the calico astronomer, its golden rings and little spheres catching the light of a nearby candle. The cat's coat is a patchwork of white, orange and black, and her yellow-gold eyes look straight out with calm interest. She wears a midnight blue robe embroidered with golden stars and crescent moons, and a puff of white lace at her neck. One white paw rests gently on the table's edge, as though she is about to give the planets a nudge.
Calico cats are known for their patchwork of white, orange and black fur, and like tortoiseshells they are almost always female because of how the coat colors are carried on the X chromosome. Nobody can say that coat color predicts personality, but many calico owners describe their cats as lively and independent. What every cat enjoys is an interesting thing to watch, and a moving object like a mobile or a spinning toy can hold her attention. Be careful with small parts, though, since cats may bat them off a table or swallow them. Offer sturdy toys, a window perch and daily play. If your cat is swatting objects off tables a lot, it is usually a form of play and curiosity.
The astronomer will give one planet a gentle nudge, just to see what happens. Science is full of small, curious experiments.
