The Walk Was Over. Ziggy Had No Plans to Climb the Porch Steps Himself.
Every walk has to end somewhere, and for Ziggy it ends in Hank's arms. The old man is climbing the concrete steps toward the back door, cradling the Bengal against his chest with both big hands, a wide, crinkly smile spreading under his gray stubble. Ziggy rests his front paws on Hank's forearm and gazes off to the side, looking pleased to be chauffeured. Around them sit the leftovers of a busy day: gardening gloves on the step, a watering can, a basket of hand tools, and a pair of muddy boots by the door.
Carrying a cat comfortably comes down to support. The best hold keeps one hand or arm under the chest just behind the front legs and the other under the hindquarters, so the cat's weight is spread out and its back legs aren't dangling. Holding a cat close to your body helps it feel secure. Never lift a cat by the scruff or by the front legs alone. Some cats love being carried and some barely tolerate it, so watch for signs like a twitching tail, flattened ears, or squirming, and set them down gently if they want out. Bengals tend to be muscular and solid, so a good grip matters.
Ziggy has clearly made his peace with being carried, at least at the end of a long day. Hank doesn't seem to mind the extra weight either.
