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An older couple in cream sweaters wrap a tortoiseshell cat in a brown plaid blanket near a coat rack and umbrella. 18 / 34

After a Rainy Walk, the Smallest Family Member Gets Warmed Up First

AI imagetortoiseshell catrainy daycozy blanket

Back inside after a drizzly stroll, the first order of business is warming up the smallest member of the family. June cradles Mabel in a big brown and cream plaid blanket, Walt tucks the edges snugly around her, and only the tortoiseshell's face peeks out, green eyes blinking and a little drop of rain still clinging to her whiskers. A wet umbrella hangs on the coat rack, rubber boots stand by the door, and evening light glows through the window behind them.

Cats generally dislike being wet, and a damp coat loses much of its ability to keep them warm. If your cat gets caught in the rain, gently towel them off, paying attention to the belly, paws and the base of the tail, and let them rest somewhere warm and draft-free until fully dry. Most cats will finish the job with their own grooming. Wiping their paws also helps remove any road grime or chemicals they might lick off later. Older cats, kittens and very thin cats are more sensitive to cold, so keep an extra eye on them, and talk to your vet if your cat seems shivery or lethargic for long after warming up.

There is no better cure for a gray, wet afternoon than a warm blanket and gentle hands. Mabel looks like she is already planning to stay in this bundle until dinner.

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A smiling older couple in cream sweaters hold a tortoiseshell cat together at the foot of their porch steps.Mabel's Little Legs Gave Out, So She Got Carried Home Like a QueenAn older couple in navy vests over cream sweaters shovel snow while a tortoiseshell cat plays in a snowbank in front.Walt and June Were Shoveling the Driveway. Mabel Had a Better Idea.An older couple in cream sweaters read a folded old letter together on a couch while a tortoiseshell cat lies across a lap.June Read the Old Letter Aloud, and Mabel Settled In to ListenAn older couple in cream sweaters sit on a truck tailgate by a golden field as a tortoiseshell cat rests in the foreground.Walt and June Parked at the Edge of a Gold Field to Watch the Sunset