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An elderly Black woman in a blue floral shirt sits on a boardwalk bench by the dunes holding a fluffy black cat on her lap. 30 / 36

Grandma Odessa Took Her Black Cat to the Beach. He Had One Clear Preference.

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Sea oats are rustling, the ocean is a pale blue stripe beyond the dunes, and Grandma Odessa has found the perfect bench on the weathered boardwalk. She's wearing a breezy blue-and-white floral shirt over a gray tee, a thin gold chain at her neck, and she's gazing down with a gentle smile at the fluffy black cat in her lap. Licorice sits tall, his coat tousled a little by the salty wind, golden eyes looking off toward the water as if he's checking on the waves. A folded blue jacket lies on the bench, and wooden railings lead down toward the sand.

Bringing a cat to the beach takes some planning, and it isn't right for every cat. Calm, confident cats who are already harness-trained handle new places best, while nervous cats are usually happier at home. Always use a secure harness and leash, since unfamiliar sounds like gulls or crashing surf can make a cat bolt. Hot sand and boardwalk planks can burn paw pads, so check the surface with your hand first and aim for cooler mornings or evenings. Bring fresh water, since cats shouldn't drink salt water, and keep visits short. Many beaches also have pet rules, so check before you go.

Licorice looks like he's taking it all in stride, a seasoned traveler enjoying the sea breeze from the best seat in the house. And Odessa? She's got the ocean view and her favorite companion. Not a bad way to spend a summer afternoon.

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