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An elderly Black woman in a green shirt holds a vanilla ice cream cone while a black cat leans in to sniff it. 16 / 36

One Scoop of Vanilla on a Hot Day. Licorice Wanted to Investigate.

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It's a scorcher outside, so Grandma Odessa has retreated to the kitchen with a well-earned treat: one scoop of vanilla piled high on a waffle cone. She holds it out at an angle with a mischievous little smile, and Licorice leans in, nose twitching, one green-gold eye fixed on the creamy swirl. His front paw is braced on the table as if he's weighing whether a lick is worth the risk of getting caught. Sunlight pours through the window behind them, and the counters are crowded with folded towels, potted herbs, a bowl of tomatoes, and a pair of reading glasses.

A sniff is about all a cat should get. Despite the classic image of cats and cream, most adult cats are lactose intolerant to some degree, and dairy can lead to an upset stomach. Ice cream also packs a lot of sugar and fat, and some flavors contain ingredients that are dangerous for pets, like chocolate or certain sweeteners. On a hot day, better cooling options include fresh water in a few spots around the house, a shady place to rest, and a cool tile floor. Some cats also enjoy licking a few ice cubes in their water bowl, which adds a little fun without any risk.

Licorice will probably have to settle for the smell, and Odessa will finish the cone herself. That still seems like a fair trade. On a hot afternoon, a little teasing, a cool kitchen, and good company go a long way.

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