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An older couple in navy vests over cream sweaters shovel snow while a tortoiseshell cat plays in a snowbank in front. 22 / 34

Walt and June Were Shoveling the Driveway. Mabel Had a Better Idea.

AI imagetortoiseshell catwintersnow

Two shovels scrape across the driveway in perfect rhythm, and right in their path, Mabel the tortoiseshell is having the time of her life. Walt and June, bundled in navy puffer vests over their cream cable-knit sweaters, with gloves on and June in a cozy headband, pause mid-scoop to grin at the cat pouncing through a fresh drift. Her paws are dusted white and her eyes are bright with mischief. Snow-capped shrubs, a cluttered side porch and a few garden tools leaning by the house round out a crisp winter morning.

Some cats really do enjoy a short romp in the snow, but cold weather calls for a few precautions. Keep outdoor play brief, especially for older or short-haired cats, and bring them in if they start to shiver or hold up their paws. Wipe their feet afterward, since de-icing salt and chemical melts can irritate pads and are harmful if licked off. Antifreeze is a serious danger as well; it tastes sweet to animals and even a small amount can be deadly, so clean up any drips promptly. Before starting a car in winter, give the hood a knock, as cats sometimes curl up near a warm engine.

Shoveling may be nobody's favorite chore, but with a snow-happy cat as entertainment, the driveway gets cleared with plenty of laughter. Hot cocoa for the humans and a warm towel for Mabel should follow shortly.

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