Sachiko in a rare quiet, even contemplative mood. Granted, the odds are good that what she’s contemplating involves an assault on one of the other cats, which catnip toy to drop in the water fountain, or how to get a larger share of the kitty krunchies*. But still, quiet. Holding still for the camera.

* Who am I kidding? This is Sachiko, after all. Most likely, she’s thinking about all three at once.

I noticed something when I took this picture. I’ve seen it before, but hadn’t really given it any thought. On that hind leg–well, let me give you a better view.

See it? That gray dot on her toe? It’s not dirt. It’s a tiny spot of dark fur in the middle of her white stocking.

“No human face is exactly the same in its lines on each side, no leaf perfect in its lobes, no branch in its symmetry. All admit irregularity as they imply change; and to banish imperfection is to destroy expression, to check exertion, to paralyze vitality. All things are literally better, lovelier, and more beloved for the imperfections which have been divinely appointed, that the law of human life may be Effort, and the law of human judgment, Mercy.”

–John Ruskin

That’s not a unique sentiment. We see the same idea over and over: that a small imperfection is necessary for true beauty.

It makes sense. Despite my love of symmetry, I can’t imagine a world in which everything was symmetrical would be worth living in. If nothing else, imagine the difficulty of saying anything worthwhile if you could only speak in palindromes! But I digress.

So, Ms. Sachiko has a built-in beauty mark on her paw. No wonder she’s irresistibly cute. Oh, fortunate child! Just think how much she’ll save over her lifetime with no need to buy cosmetics!