Browse ›
An elderly couple sits under a cream quilt in front of a crackling fireplace with a ruddy Abyssinian cat on their laps. 13 / 38

Harold Pulled the Quilt Over Their Knees by the Fire. Saffron Saw an Opening.

AI imageabyssinianfireplacewinter evening

Logs crackle and glow in the stone fireplace behind them, and Harold and Ruth have pulled a thick cream quilt over their knees. Harold, in an olive overshirt, smiles with his eyes nearly closed, while Ruth turns toward him with a laugh, her hair pinned up and small gold earrings catching the firelight. Sitting tall right in the center of the quilt is Saffron, copper coat glowing, gazing calmly forward with the self-assurance of a cat who has found the warmest seat in the house. A stack of books and a few odds and ends rest on the side table nearby.

Cats love warmth, and it's not hard to see why. Their comfortable body temperature range runs higher than ours, so heat sources like sunny windows, warm laps, and fireplaces are very appealing. That's lovely on a cold evening, but it's wise to keep a few precautions in mind. Use a sturdy fireplace screen so curious paws and fluffy tails can't get too close to flames or sparks, never leave a fire burning in an empty room, and keep matches and fire starters put away. A cozy blanket or heated pet bed a safe distance from the hearth lets your cat enjoy the warmth without the risk.

There's no rush to be anywhere tonight. Between the crackling fire, the soft quilt, and a contented cat holding court in the middle, Harold and Ruth look exactly where they want to be.

More from this collection

All 38 →
An elderly couple in winter hats shovels a snowy driveway while a ruddy Abyssinian cat stands playfully in a snowbank.The Driveway Needed Shoveling. Saffron Found the Snowbank First.An elderly couple naps head to head on a backyard lawn while a ruddy Abyssinian cat lies in front of them, half awake.Harold and Ruth Dozed Off on the Lawn. Somebody Stayed on Duty.
An elderly couple reads the newspaper by lamplight on a sofa while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sleeps curled on the man's lap.Harold Opened the Evening Paper. Saffron Had Already Picked Her Page.An elderly couple washes an old silver car in the driveway while a ruddy Abyssinian cat swipes at the spray from the hose.Harold Turned On the Hose to Rinse the Car. Saffron Took It Personally.A ruddy Abyssinian cat crouches on the lawn eyeing a bouncing tennis ball while an elderly couple kneels behind, smiling.Harold Tossed a Tennis Ball Across the Yard, Not Expecting the Cat to Go for ItAn elderly couple shares a bowl of popcorn on a cozy couch while a ruddy Abyssinian cat lounges in the foreground.Harold Made the Popcorn, Ruth Picked the Movie, and Saffron Picked the Best Seat