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An older couple in cream sweaters bathe a wet tortoiseshell cat in a soapy galvanized tub in a backyard garden. 3 / 34

Bath Day in the Backyard Washtub. Mabel Was Not Consulted.

AI imagetortoiseshell catcat bathbackyard

Bath day has arrived in the backyard, and Mabel is not entirely convinced it was her idea. June cradles the damp tortoiseshell in a galvanized metal washtub full of soapy suds while Walt gently pours water over her back from a small cup. Their cream sweaters have their sleeves pushed up, potted plants and garden tools line the wooden fence behind them, and Mabel peers out with wide golden eyes and slicked-down fur. To her credit, she is holding still, which is more than many cats would manage.

Most cats rarely need a full bath because they spend a good part of each day grooming themselves. A bath can make sense when a cat gets into something sticky or smelly, or when a vet recommends it for a skin issue. If you do bathe a cat, use lukewarm water, a shampoo made for cats rather than people or dogs, and keep water away from the eyes and ears. Have a towel ready, keep the room or spot warm, and let the cat dry fully before it goes back outside or near drafts. Short, calm baths with gentle hands go much better than long ones, and older or anxious cats may do better with a damp cloth instead.

Mabel will likely spend the rest of the afternoon re-grooming every hair to her own standards. Still, with two such gentle helpers, this might be the most dignified bath a cat has ever endured.

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An older couple in cream sweaters doze head to head in a recliner while a tortoiseshell cat rests on the armrest.Walt and June Dozed Off in the Recliner. Mabel Stayed on Duty.An older couple in gray sweaters fix a wooden fence in the yard while a tortoiseshell cat holds a stick in its mouth.Walt Had the Hammer, June Had the Board. Mabel Brought Her Own Tool.
A smiling older couple in cream sweaters sit on a boardwalk bench by the beach, holding a tortoiseshell cat on their laps.A Breezy Day on the Boardwalk, and Mabel Got the Best SeatAn older couple in cream sweaters sit in the cab of a rusty vintage pickup with a tortoiseshell cat on the seat beside them.Walt Drives, June Rides Shotgun, and the Middle Seat Has Strong OpinionsAn older couple in cream sweaters tuck a plaid blanket around a tortoiseshell cat lying in a round plush pet bed.Bedtime at Walt and June's Comes With Full Turndown ServiceAn older couple in patterned sweaters assemble a jigsaw puzzle of a village while a tortoiseshell cat sits on a nearby chair.Half a Snowy Village Was Done. Mabel Was Eyeing the Rest of the Pieces.