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An elderly couple sits on a wooden dock with bare feet in the water while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits primly on the planks. 34 / 38

Harold and Ruth Dipped Their Toes in the Lake. Saffron Drew the Line.

AI imageabyssinianlake docksummer

Summer evenings at the dock have a rhythm all their own. Harold and Ruth sit side by side at the edge of the weathered planks, jeans and shorts rolled up, bare feet dangling in the cool lake water. Harold wears a ball cap and his favorite plaid shirt; Ruth has on a soft taupe cardigan and glasses, and both are smiling like they've just shared a private joke. Saffron, however, has drawn a firm line. She sits upright on a dry board right beside them, tail tucked neatly, ears perked, and wears the expression of a cat who has no intention of getting her paws wet.

Docks, pools, and lakes call for a little extra caution with pets. Although many cats can swim if they have to, most don't enjoy it, and a sudden slip into deep water can be frightening and dangerous, especially if there's no easy way out. When you're relaxing by the water with a cat, stay close, keep it on a harness if it's prone to wandering, and make sure there's a safe, dry spot to retreat to. Never leave a pet unattended on a dock. Lake water can also carry algae or bacteria, so it's best not to let pets drink from it.

Ruth and Harold may be cooling their toes, but Saffron is perfectly content to keep watch from her dry little patch of dock. It's a quiet, happy evening, and everyone is exactly where they want to be.

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A ruddy Abyssinian cat sleeps on a pile of patterned quilt fabric while an elderly couple sews at the table behind it.Ruth Laid Out Every Quilt Square on the Table. Saffron Found Them First.An elderly couple on a couch shares a vanilla ice cream cone while a ruddy Abyssinian cat leans in to sniff it.Ruth and Harold Were Sharing One Vanilla Cone. Saffron Wanted to Be Included.An elderly couple behind a frosty window holds up a ruddy Abyssinian cat, with a snowy yard and bare trees outside.Harold and Ruth Wanted Saffron to See the Snow. Her Face Said It All.An Abyssinian cat sits front and center on a lace tablecloth while an elderly couple laughs over tea and scones behind it.Ruth Set the Table for Two. Saffron Had Other Seating Plans.