Orange Cat/Gray Cat

The Big Orange cat is fluffy and voluptuous. She loves to give pleasure as much as she enjoys receiving it. When she walks into a room and singles you out as the recipient of the luxurious gifts she comes bearing, consider yourself blessed. As you bury your hands in her flame-colored fur, she will purr like a well cared for engine, letting you know she is pleased. In most cases, you will have had your fill before she has tired of giving. If she's on your lap, your legs will go to sleep. You'll get hungry or antsy. You'll need to move. She may let you know with a sharp meow that she's not ready for your session to end, but she will forgive you. She'll return another time.

The Little Gray kitty, while as visually appealing as the Big Orange, is an entirely different species. Little Grays are aloof, and not at all interested in being friends with Humans. They seem to realize that Humans are necessary, and so will allow them to open doors and fill their bowls, but they have no desire to be petted and cuddled. How fortunate the Little Gray who finds herself in a home where there at least one Human who is irrationally and unconditionally devoted to cats--Big Oranges, Little Grays, Purple Stripes...it doesn't matter. There are Humans who will place the needs of any species of cat above their own and those of the people he lives with. Lucky indeed is the cavalier Little Gray if her owner is one of these. She may even occasionally allow this devoted Human to pick her up and nuzzle her neck, but never for more than 30 seconds.

Both species are a feast for the eyes and the sense of touch. Both are demanding, but one will amply reward you for your trouble, and one will make you beg by playing hard to get. Both satisfy a need to be needed, and to be entertained.

I base this assessment solely on personal experience. I have conducted no formal studies of the personality traits of cats. Our home is now missing its Big Orange Cinder, who lived here for 18 years. We are still being "blessed" by Little Gray Ella. My Awesome Husband Greg is the World's Most Devoted Cat Lover, and she is one Little Gray who will never want for anything.