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A tuxedo cat sleeps curled on top of a newspaper in the lap of an older man sitting on a beige couch. 13 / 37

Grandpa Sat Down With the Morning Newspaper. He Got About Two Paragraphs In.

AI imagetuxedo catnap timeliving room

Grandpa sat down to catch up on the morning news. He got about two paragraphs in. Now Domino is sound asleep across his lap, chin resting squarely on the folded newspaper, eyes shut tight and one ear twitching at some passing dream. Grandpa gazes down at him with the resigned patience of a man who knows he won't be finishing the sports section anytime soon. Gauzy curtains filter soft light over the couch, and a gray throw blanket waits nearby for later.

Why do cats love to lie on whatever you're reading? Part of it is warmth: paper, laptops, and laps all hold heat nicely. Part of it is attention. A cat quickly learns that settling on the thing you're focused on is a reliable way to become the thing you're focused on. Paper also has an appealing texture and a satisfying crinkle, and a person holding still with a newspaper makes a stable, comfortable bed. It's usually harmless and rather sweet, though if your cat insists on sitting on your work every day, offering a cozy spot right beside you, like a folded blanket on the arm of the couch, can give them closeness without the takeover.

Domino clearly didn't get that memo, and Grandpa doesn't seem to mind one bit. The headlines will still be there after the nap.

Some days the news can wait. A sleeping cat cannot be disturbed.

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