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An older couple sits close on a low wooden dock with bare feet in the water while a cinnamon Abyssinian cat sits beside them. 5 / 26

Ruth and Harold Dipped Their Feet in the Pond. Saffron Had Her Own Opinion About That.

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Shoes kicked off and lined up on the boards, Harold and Ruth sit snuggled together at the edge of a low wooden dock, bare feet dangling in the cool, clear water. Harold wears a green hoodie, khaki shorts, and glasses, beaming with a big toothy grin, while Ruth leans into him in a lavender sweater and rolled-up jeans, her curly silver hair glinting in the sun. Saffron sits a respectful distance from the water's edge, perfectly upright, her ticked cinnamon coat glowing and her large ears turned forward. She looks off to the side with mild interest, clearly happy to supervise from dry land.

Cats and water have a complicated relationship. Many cats dislike getting wet, partly because a soaked coat takes a long time to dry and can leave them chilled. Still, plenty of cats are curious about water, and some will happily sit near a pond or stream to watch insects, fish, or ripples. If your cat joins you near water, supervision is important; even good climbers can slip off a dock, and steep banks can make it hard to get out. Discourage drinking from ponds, which may contain bacteria, parasites, or harmful algae, and bring fresh water instead.

Saffron seems to have found the ideal compromise: close enough to keep an eye on her people, far enough to keep her paws dry.

Ruth and Harold have their cool water and their sunshine, and Saffron has her front-row seat. Everyone wins on a summer afternoon like this.

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An older couple sits in the cab of an old pickup truck while a cinnamon Abyssinian cat sits upright on the seat in front.Harold Started Up the Old Pickup. Ruth Wasn't the Only Passenger Who Climbed In.An older couple relaxes in green lawn chairs on a patio while a cinnamon Abyssinian cat lounges in the foreground.Ruth and Harold Settled In to Watch the Sky. Saffron Was Watching Something Else.An older couple plays an old upright piano together while a cinnamon Abyssinian cat sits on the wooden bench beside them.Ruth and Harold Sat Down for Their Evening Duet. Saffron Took the Last Seat on the Bench.An older couple climbs blue-painted porch steps together, holding a cinnamon Abyssinian cat between them.Saffron Walked Most of the Way Home. The Last Few Steps Were a Different Story.