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An older couple in matching patterned sweaters hold a tortoiseshell cat up to a kitchen window with snowy trees outside. 14 / 34

The First Snow Fell Overnight. Walt and June Couldn't Wait to Show Mabel.

AI imagetortoiseshell catwintersnow

Fresh snow has blanketed the yard overnight, and Walt and June could not wait to show Mabel. Standing by the kitchen window in matching cream sweaters with brown zigzag patterns, they lift the tortoiseshell up between them so she can see the frosted trees and white lawn outside. June smiles up at her, Walt leans in nose to nose, and Mabel stretches one paw toward his face, eyes wide with curiosity. A tea towel hangs from a cabinet knob, and a cloth bag dangles on a hook beside the window.

Many indoor cats are fascinated by windows, and snowfall gives them a whole new show of drifting flakes, birds and the occasional squirrel. A secure window perch or a cleared sill lets them enjoy the view safely on their own. When holding a cat up high, support both the chest and the back legs so they feel secure, and set them down gently if they start to squirm. Winter can also bring hazards for cats who go outdoors, such as antifreeze, which is extremely toxic, and de-icing salts that irritate paws. Keeping a cat cozy and indoors during cold snaps is usually the kindest choice.

There is a special kind of joy in sharing the first snow with someone, even if that someone is mostly wondering why the yard turned white. For this family, it is clearly a moment worth lifting up.

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