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An elderly couple washes an old silver car in the driveway while a ruddy Abyssinian cat swipes at the spray from the hose. 17 / 38

Harold Turned On the Hose to Rinse the Car. Saffron Took It Personally.

AI imageabyssiniancar washdriveway

Suds are running down the side of the old silver sedan, and car-wash day is in full swing. Ruth, in a green cardigan and blue slip-on shoes, scrubs a door with a yellow sponge, while Harold, wearing a ball cap and plaid shirt, aims the hose along the fender. Right in the splash zone, Saffron has decided the arc of water is the best toy ever invented. The Abyssinian stands up with one paw reaching out to bat at the stream, ears perked, whiskers dotted with droplets. A blue bucket, a few potted plants, and the warm late-day light make it feel like a classic weekend chore.

Most cats are wary of water, but some, Abyssinians among them, are known for being fascinated by it, especially when it moves. Dripping faucets, fountains, and running hoses can trigger the same instinct that makes them chase anything that wiggles. If your cat likes to play near water, keep the spray gentle and never point it directly at the animal. Car-washing soaps and other cleaning chemicals can irritate skin and shouldn't be licked off fur, so rinse your cat's paws with clean water afterward, and keep buckets of soapy water out of reach. A cat water fountain indoors can be a safer way to satisfy that curiosity.

The car may come out sparkling, or it may come out with paw prints. Either way, Harold and Ruth are laughing, and Saffron is having the time of her life.

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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
An elderly woman reads aloud from a book on a sunny couch as her husband listens and a ruddy Abyssinian cat lies in front.Ruth Started Reading Aloud for Harold. Someone Else Got Comfortable First.An elderly couple sips lemonade on a weathered porch bench while a ruddy Abyssinian cat leans into the foreground.Two Glasses of Lemonade on the Porch, and One Very Curious CatAn elderly couple kneels by a gray pet bed, tucking a soft blanket around a ruddy Abyssinian cat so only her face shows.Every Night, Harold and Ruth Have the Same Bedtime Routine for SaffronAn elderly couple bathes a wet ruddy Abyssinian cat in a galvanized metal tub in the yard, pouring water from a blue cup.Ruth Filled the Old Metal Tub, and Saffron Knew Bath Day Had Come