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An older man in a fishing vest naps on his side on a sunny lawn with a tuxedo cat curled asleep against him. 16 / 37

Somewhere Between Pulling Weeds and Watering, the Afternoon Won

AI imagetuxedo catnap timebackyard

Somewhere between pulling weeds and watering the potted plants, the afternoon simply got the better of them. Grandpa is stretched out on his side in the grass, head propped on one arm, eyes closed and mustache rising and falling with each slow breath. Curled snugly against his chest, Domino has drifted off too, white paws folded under his chin and tail draped across the clover. Behind them, the garden hose lies coiled by the house and sunlight dapples the yard.

Cats are true connoisseurs of a sunny spot. They're comfortable at warmer temperatures than people are, so a patch of sunlight feels wonderful to them, and sleeping close to a trusted person adds both warmth and a sense of safety. That said, cats can get sunburned, especially on lightly furred, pale areas like the ears and nose of a white or bicolor cat. Providing shade, fresh water, and the option to move indoors on hot days is important. Outdoors, also keep an eye out for lawn treatments, fertilizers, and certain garden plants, some of which can be harmful if a cat licks them off its paws.

None of those worries seem to trouble this pair right now. The grass is soft, the sun is warm, and the to-do list can wait a little longer.

Not every afternoon needs a plan. Some of the best ones end in a nap.

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