June 27, 2025, 9:13 am | Read time: 9 minutes
From birth, accompanied by a painting-like pattern and a heart full of individuality: Pebbles is more than just an extraordinarily beautiful cat–the combination of her fur colors and features is as genetically unique as winning the lottery. In this personal interview, her owner, Michelle Stolte, shares with PETBOOK editor Louisa Stoeffler about a unique bond, daily rituals, and the happiness that sometimes comes with a mottled face.
Some cats have a special coat color, others a fascinating pattern. And then there’s Pebbles–a Ragdoll with a tricolor coat, point, and chimeric markings. This combination of coat features is so unique that the likelihood of all these traits appearing together is about 1 in 1 million. That’s about as likely as hitting the lottery jackpot with a single ticket or flipping “heads” 20 times in a row.
Unique Coat Pattern Arises from Genetic Masterpiece
Pebbles’ appearance is no accident but the result of a highly complex anomaly in the cat world:
The Ragdoll’s Point Pattern: Ragdolls typically have a colorpoint pattern, where a temperature-dependent gene (partial albinism) only pigments cooler body areas like the face, ears, legs, and tail–the rest remains light. This coloring develops after birth and darkens over time. This includes their intensely blue eyes, a hallmark of this breed.
Tricolor–the First Genetic Jackpot: The typical “calico” pattern with black, red, and white is rare due to its genetic origin. It requires the simultaneous inheritance of two color pigments (eumelanin for black and pheomelanin for red) and the piebald gene for white. These color codes are on the X chromosome–hence, almost exclusively female cats are tricolored. That Pebbles combines this tricolor with her point base pattern is already a genetic rarity.
And then also a Chimera? Perhaps the most extraordinary thing about Pebbles: her precisely divided facial markings. Biologically, this is often referred to as a mosaic-like X-inactivation pattern with piebalding–often mistakenly called a “chimera.” True chimeras occur when two embryos merge into one organism in the womb. However, this is rarely the case with cats.
Want to know more? Check here to see if you know all the coat patterns in cats. But aside from her external features, Pebbles is also a very special cat, as her owner Michelle Stolte regularly posts on Instagram and TikTok–and revealed to PETBOOK in the following interview.
Why Pebbles Was Initially Called “Rolli”
PETBOOK: How did you meet Pebbles, and what fascinated you about her?
Michelle Stolte: “I was actually present at Pebbles’ birth! The breeder was our neighbor, with whom we were close friends. So we were able to accompany Pebbles from day one. Since the gender couldn’t be determined well at first, we assumed she was a male because she was the thickest and largest of the litter. That’s why I jokingly called her Rolli, like the chubby puppy from 101 Dalmatians.
We actually wanted to add a female to our other cat, but she was the one who was always with me, who crawled up to me and eventually ran to me as soon as she heard my voice. So it quickly became clear–we would take Rolli. We had a special bond from the start. When it turned out after a few weeks that she wasn’t a male, we named her Pebbles.”
Pebbles’ Unique Markings Developed Over Time
Did you know from the start that she was a tricolor Ragdoll with chimeric markings–or that such a thing even existed in Ragdolls?
“No, it all developed gradually. She was born white like her siblings, and the color only developed after a few weeks. At first, she had a single black nostril, then an orange spot on her ear, then one leg darkened, and then the divided face on her nose slowly developed. I had never heard of chimeras before and only became aware of it when my vet mentioned it to me.”
Has her coat pattern, for example on her legs, changed further over time?
“I only notice how much she has changed color-wise over the years when I look at old photos. She has become much more colorful and darker, especially on her back.”
Pebbles Also Hit the Jackpot with Illnesses
Her facial markings are extremely special–does she have any health issues or has she ever been examined for them?
“Due to her facial markings, she was never specifically examined, except during her check-ups. Unfortunately, last year Pebbles was diagnosed with FORL, the most common dental disease in cats, and asthma–which, according to the vet, is not related to her markings. Quote: ‘Some cats hit the jackpot.’ She has only a few teeth left and uses an asthma inhaler daily, but she manages very well with it!”
I know that, my cat also has FORL, but he compensates well, too, typical orange cat, he’s tough. That brings me to this question: Pebbles is tricolored. Have you experienced anything with her that truly makes her a “lucky cat” for you?
“I believe I was incredibly lucky that we found each other. That’s my greatest moment of luck. So I would say that she brought a lot of luck as a lucky cat from day one!”
“Pebbles’ Personality Is Sometimes as Divided as Her Face.”
Tricolor cats sometimes also show the typical “tortitude” behavior. Do you notice anything like stubbornness, diva moments, or a cheeky streak in Pebbles?
“Pebbles’ personality is sometimes as divided as her face. If she wants attention (or food) and doesn’t get it, she deliberately does things that annoy me. For example, she’ll nibble on my plant, stand in front of the TV, and then fetch Q-tips from my makeup table to play with. She definitely has a mind of her own. But I can never stay mad at her for long.”
Did you have any prior experience with the Ragdoll breed, or was she your introduction?
“My first cat, to whom I then added Pebbles, was also a Ragdoll. But the two of them turned me into a cat person, as I grew up only with dogs and was afraid of cats.”
“Pebbles Is Very Affectionate and Always Seeks Closeness”
How does she get along with other people or animals in the household?
“She gets along very well with our other cat Mochi, a Sacred Birman, but they sometimes bicker. They’re both little divas at times. Pebbles is very affectionate and always seeks closeness to my boyfriend and me. Wherever we are, she is too. For example, if you go to the bathroom with the door closed, Pebbles waits outside until you come out.”
What does a typical day with Pebbles look like?
“In the morning, she first gets her asthma inhaler and then usually finds a sleeping spot in my boyfriend’s or my office so she can keep an eye on when we finish work. In between, she visits the one whose office she’s not in, gets a bit of love, and then goes back.
She loves playing with her toy mice or short charging cables, which she drags from office to office–hoping someone will play with her. Her highlight is, of course, the end of the workday. Then she runs around the apartment with us, playing, cuddling, or sleeping.
When we cook, she sits on the bar stool and watches. When we do laundry, she sits in the laundry basket. Before bed, she gets her asthma inhaler again, and while my boyfriend watches a few YouTube videos to fall asleep, she watches with him until he lies down or she gets tired.”
Pebbles Loves Watching Bird Videos
Are there any specific rituals or favorite activities she particularly enjoys?
“A bit annoying but also so sweet is her obsession with her toy mice. I often wake up in the morning to find these mice in my bed because she apparently plays with them at night.
She also loves watching bird videos, so I now have a TikTok folder full of videos she seems to like best. She also enjoys fetching her mice or playing hide and seek with me!”
What does Pebbles need to feel really comfortable?
“Definitely her food and our closeness, as she is very affectionate and people-oriented. Both cats have a chip-controlled feeder, where they always have access to dry food–they share it throughout the day. But as soon as you take it away, even briefly, Pebbles starts complaining, even if she just ate.”
Ragdolls “Definitely Need a Play and Cuddle Partner”
What advice would you give to people considering getting a Ragdoll?
“I would advise everyone to thoroughly research cat care and Ragdolls in particular and not to keep them alone, as they would otherwise be lonely. They definitely need a play and cuddle partner!
Also, be aware that animals are living beings that not only need love but also responsibility, costs, and time. But all of this is repaid with lots of love from a cat. And indeed: getting pet insurance. It has helped me a lot with Pebbles, and it’s just nice not to have to worry about costs in emergencies.”
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Owner on Pebbles: “She Is My Greatest Joy”
How pronounced is her need for cuddling–more typically Ragdoll-affectionate, or does it vary?
“Pebbles isn’t a cat that likes to lie in your arms in bed, but she is very cuddly. She usually lies either next to me, at my feet, or on my stomach. On the sofa, she prefers cuddling more than in bed–there, she oddly prefers the scratching post right next to the bed.”
Is there a moment when she surprised you with her behavior?
“When I had COVID for the first time a few years ago, I was bedridden with a high fever for a week. She hardly left my side the entire time, lying next to me and letting me hold her paw while I slept. That’s one of my favorite memories.”
If you had to describe Pebbles in one sentence, what would it be?
“It’s hard to sum it up in one sentence, but: She is my greatest joy.”