Got to see my special calico friend again recently. I was lucky enough to get licked once more.
This is the grumpy look she gives me whenever I get tired and stop the neck rubs.
Calico refers not to a particular species, but the tri-colour coat (white/black/orange). There are even calico
dogs. The name derives from the south Indian city of Calicut (aka Kozhikode); originally associated with a fabric but later a pattern.
Calico cats are all female with a tiny number of exceptions (some say 1 in 3,000). In folklore they are associated with good luck, including the traditional Japanese
Maneki neko; note the black and orange ears.
Also in Japan, there's a giant
3D calico near Tokyo station.