Browse ›
An older man in overalls holds a vanilla ice cream cone while a spotted Bengal cat stretches up to lick it. 21 / 37

Hank Got Exactly Two Licks of His Ice Cream Cone Before Ziggy Showed Up

AI imagebengal catice creamsummer

Sunglasses pushed up into his messy gray hair, Hank was all set to enjoy a cold vanilla cone on a sticky summer day. He got about two licks in. Now Ziggy has climbed halfway onto his lap, one paw braced on the overall bib, tongue out and tasting the melting edge of the scoop with total focus. Hank isn't stopping him. He's looking down with a soft, crinkle-eyed smile, holding the cone steady like he's been waiting all afternoon to share it.

It's a sweet moment, but ice cream really isn't a great snack for cats. Most adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree, meaning dairy can lead to stomach upset or diarrhea. Sugar offers them nothing nutritionally, and some flavors, like chocolate or anything with the sweetener xylitol, can be truly dangerous for pets. A single small lick of plain vanilla usually isn't a crisis, but it's not something to make a habit of. On hot days, better options include a little extra fresh water, a cool tiled floor to lie on, or frozen treats made specifically for cats. If you're unsure, ask your vet.

Hank will probably finish the rest himself, maybe after a few more stolen licks. Judging by the look on his face, he considers the shared cone money well spent, and the sticky whiskers a small price to pay.

More from this collection

All 37 →
An older man in a denim shirt and overalls sips coffee on gray porch steps while a Bengal cat sits looking up at him.Same Steps, Same Mug, Same Morning Ritual. Then Hank Looked Down.An older man in plaid and overalls sits on a weathered boardwalk bench by the beach with a Bengal cat beside him.An Empty Boardwalk, a Windy Gray Day, and One Very Serious Conversation
An older man in overalls walks a spotted Bengal cat on a leather leash past farmers market stalls with vegetables.Grandpa Hank Brought a Shopping List to the Market. Ziggy Brought Attitude.An older man in glasses works on a jigsaw puzzle at a round wooden table while a Bengal cat sits on a chair watching.Hank Was Down to the Last Few Hundred Pieces. Ziggy Was Watching Every One.An older man in a flat cap and overalls sits on a dock with bare feet in the water beside a Bengal cat on the planks.Hank Kicked Off His Boots and Dipped His Feet in the Lake. Ziggy Had Questions.An older man in overalls whittles a piece of wood on a porch as curls of shavings fall and a Bengal cat watches closely.Hank Was Quietly Whittling on the Porch. Ziggy Thought It Was a Magic Show.