Greetings. Snoops and Kommando here. Welcome to another edition of Cat Forum.
Kommando: Hey, Snoops. Why does Mom call you her favorite cali?
Snoops: It’s short for calico. That’s what they call the beautiful coloring of my fur.
Kommando: That’s strange. I looked up cali (with a c) in the dictionary, and they said it was a city in Colombia
Snoops: Hmm. That’s odd.
Kommando: Yeah. That’s what I thought. So I looked it up with a “k”.
Snoops: What did it say?
Kommando: The Hindu goddess of death and destruction. That seemed a bit extreme, since you’re usually pretty laid back.
Snoops: Thanks. Like I said, it’s just short for Calico.
Kommando: OK, that makes more sense.
Pauses. Then looks up again.
Kommando: Uh, Snoops? This says that calico is a cotton material imported from India or some other type of cotton material
Snoops: That’s not right. Keep looking.
Kommando: OK, OK. Let’s see. How about a blotched or spotted animal? One that is predominantly white with red and black patches.
Snoops: Good grief. What are you reading?
Kommando: It’s called Merriam-Webster.
Snoops: Well. I don’t know who that it, but they’re crazy.
Kommando: That sounds pretty ugly. Are you sure Mom means it as a compliment?
Snoops: Yes. I’m sure. I think that Miriam lady hates cats.
Kommando: Maybe. There are some strange people out there.
Snoops: Anyway. We do have three colors. And usually they’re white, black and orange. Some are predominantly white and some are predominantly black.
Kommando: So humans just go in and order a calico in the colors they want?
Snoops. Of course not. We’re not a breed. It’s a coat pattern.
Kommando: Oh. So you’re just a regular cat.
Snoops: Hmmph. Some people think we’re lucky.
Kommando: Really?
Snoops: Yep. Here and in England, male calico cats are lucky because they’re so rare.
Kommando: OK. So that lets you out. You’re a girl.
Snoops: True. But in Japan, Maneki neko (a cat talisman) is almost always a calico, and they think she brings good fortune and wealth. Not only that, traditionally Japanese sailors brought calicos on voyages to chase away storms and angry ancestral spirits.
Kommando: That’s pretty cool.
Snoops: And we’re the official state cat of Maryland. That’s kinda weird though. They didn’t pick us because we’re awesome. They picked us because we look like their state bird, the oriole.
Kommando: It says that sometimes humans confuse you guys with tortoiseshells.
Snoops: That’s weird. Torties don’t have white in their coats. Humans just don’t pay attention.
Kommando: That’s true enough. Well, I guess being three colored is better than being a goddess of destruction.
Pictures courtesy of Google Images.
Adventures in Cheeseland 
I think Calicoes are among the most beautiful of cat colors.Torties too. Well, everyone! Mom and I love that last photo of the last cat built for the day out of spare parts!
Katie Isabella ~Blogspot
Thank you! I think Snoops looks like a jigsaw puzzle. Purrs, Kommando Kitty
I dated a Calico once. She was HOT!!!!!!!!!!!! I’d say your human was complimenting you.
Thank you! Sorry it didn’t work out with the calico. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
Franklin and I love calico kitties! Well, Franklin not so much, but I do. Mary Shelley the calico does cameos with us.
Thank you! We’ll watch for Mary Shelley (love the name). Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
I have two calico sisters, who have so little calico on them they are almost white! They are awesome.
Purrs
ERin
Thank still counts. We think that you are probably the most beautiful though. Purrs, Snoops and Kommando Kitty
Male calicos are a lot more rare than female orange tabbies! I think it’s cool how the colors are gender-linked though.
Yep. The ladies rule in the calico world!
We had a male tortie at the SPCA where I volunteer. He was old but very friendly so he was adopted fairly quickly.
The friendly ones definitely have an advantage
They sure do.
I love calicos and torties and spare parts cats ( that is what we call Rosie).
One of Mom’s before cats was a calico! Her name was Kittie and she lived to be 24 years old! she was a terrific mouser and cuddler! She also always got into mischief and Mom says I, Marvelous, remind her of me.
Purrs
Marv
Sounds like a compliment
snoops; calico’s total lee rock !!! hope this findz ewe N kommando gettin in trubullz; sayin in trubull N lovin everee minit oh it….bee happee N healthee ~~~~~ 🙂 ♥♥
Thanks guys. We’re trying to convince Mom that she has to keep buying food and treats in case people start hoarding those too.
oopz…R furst spellin errorz oh de yeer…thatz spozed ta be STAYIN in trubullz 😉 ♥♥
MOL; it’s pretty easy to upset humans
LOVE that last photo! And there are no “regular” cats!
Purr-cisely
Fun! And I love “the last cat built” meme.
Thank you!
Meowza! A state cat? That’s pretty cool. You guys are a wealth of information and we agree, that Merriam-Webster. woman hasn’t a clue!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Alberto
We need to get a state cat for Michigan. How do you suppose we’d go about it? Probably have to get our staff on it
I think that’s an excellent idea and yes, put the Human staff to work!
Purrs & Head Bonks,
Albero