Grandma Loretta Flipped the First Pancake. Saffron Had Been Sitting There the Whole Time.
A golden pancake sizzles in a black skillet, and Grandma Loretta slides her spatula underneath with practiced ease. She wears a navy cardigan over a gray tee, glasses perched on her nose, and a pleased little smile, because the first one is turning out perfectly. Perched on the wooden counter right beside the stove, Saffron sits upright with impeccable posture, ears tall and nose tipped toward the smell, the very picture of polite patience. Bananas, a houseplant, a pitcher, a folded blue towel, and a ring of keys crowd the cozy kitchen counter behind her.
Cats on kitchen counters are a common household debate, but near a hot stove it becomes a safety concern. Burners stay hot after cooking, and a curious cat can get burned paws or singed whiskers in an instant. Gas flames and dangling towels add more risk. Many owners use stove covers, keep cats out of the kitchen while cooking, or give them a tall perch at a safe distance so they can still watch. As for pancakes, plain bits are not toxic, but they offer cats no nutritional value, and butter, syrup, and milk can upset their stomachs. A cat treat at breakfast time is a better way to include them.
Saffron may not get a pancake of her own, but she is clearly enjoying the show. Grandma Loretta cooks, Saffron supervises, and the whole kitchen smells like a lazy Sunday morning.
