my orange cat is the kind who lives in his own quiet world most days. you will often find him sitting by the window staring at nothing i can see, or curled up in a corner like he is keeping secrets. he does not run to greet me when i come home and he does not follow me around the house like my other pets. it feels like he has his own little kingdom, and he lets very few people step inside it.
the biggest rule with him is simple do not touch him unless he says so. if you reach out to pet him before he is ready or try to pick him up when he is busy with his own thoughts he will let you know right away. he does not hide or run away he stands his ground. he will look at you like you have done something very rude and his whole body will tense up.
first he will give a low sharp sound not quite a meow more like a grumpy “stop right there.” if you still do not listen he will swat at your hand. he does not use his claws right away but he makes sure you feel he means business. he acts like you have invaded his space and he will defend it like it is the most important thing in the world.
people think he is nasty or unfriendly but that is not true. he is just very careful. he does not give his trust away for free and he hates feeling forced or crowded. when he is ready he will come to you slowly quietly on his own terms. he will lean against your leg or rest near you but never if you ask him to.
it took me a long time to understand him. i used to feel sad thinking he did not like me. then i learned to wait. i learned to sit still and let him decide when to come close. once i stopped trying to make him be affectionate he started showing me his gentle side in his own quiet way.
he will never be the cat who jumps into your lap or lets you carry him everywhere. but when he sits near you or lets you stay in the same room without leaving that is his way of saying you are special. he is stubborn he has his own rules and he will definitely scod you if you cross the line but he is my orange boy.
i would not trade his funny quiet world for anything. he is not the sweetest or the easiest cat to get along with but he is real. he does not pretend to like you just to be nice. he is exactly who he is and that makes him the most special cat i have ever known.