Orlie (short for Orlando) is a big ginger fellow with a non-stop loud rumble of a purr. He's one of the most laid-back cats I've ever met.

Nice sofa, ma! Now put the cricket on for me, eh?

He was aged about 12 when he and his mate Tyler moved into the Maddhouse at the beginning of April 2005. He's a real lap cat and he wants to be wherever the people are. If he's sitting on your lap already, he often stretches his paws up around your neck to give you a big cuddle. If you don't sit down and provide a lap quickly enough, he'll reach up and try to put his paws around your waist instead.

Shall I mow the lawn today then?

Nah...

He's also the biggest chatterbox of the bunch.

He soon made friends with Katie, who didn't talk as much but had the vocal projection skills to rival Joan Sutherland.

Orlie's communication skills also extend beyond the vocal. One night while I was lying on my back in front of the TV, Katie and Orlie both settled themselves on my chest/tummy together. In between wheezing and gasping for breath (neither of them is a lightweight) I couldn't help saying "wow, this is quite a milestone - one of the newcomers and one of the old guard snuggling up together! I'm going to have to tell everyone about this!" Next thing I knew, one of Orlie's big ginger paws was carefully placed over my mouth.

That made me laugh so hard that the paw shifted, so I teased him a bit more with "I'm telling! I'm telling!", and the ginger paw shut me up again.

Well, I've told everyone now. I guess I can expect some ginger revenge soon.

The potted one.