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An elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron does a side stretch on a yoga mat as an orange cat lies with a paw raised. 5 / 33

Abuela Carmen Reached Up for Her Morning Stretch. Mango Answered From the Floor.

AI imageorange catstretchinggrandparents

Abuela Carmen's morning stretch routine has drawn its usual audience of one. She kneels on a lavender yoga mat in a purple sweater, black leggings, and, of course, her floral apron, one arm sweeping gracefully overhead into a side stretch while she laughs down at the mat. Sprawled on his back beside her, Mango has stuck one fluffy orange paw straight up into the air, white toes spread, as if he's mirroring her reach in his own lazy way. His plumed tail stretches across the mat. Sunlight pours into the kitchen behind them, landing on a potted plant, a folded green blanket, and a stack of towels.

A cat lying belly-up like Mango is usually feeling very safe and relaxed, since the belly is one of the most vulnerable spots on the body. But it's not always an invitation for a tummy rub. Many cats love showing off their bellies but react to a touch there with a quick grab or a nip, a reflex sometimes jokingly called the belly trap. If your cat rolls over, it's often safest to respond with a gentle chin scratch or a stroke along the cheeks instead. Over time, you'll learn whether your particular cat genuinely enjoys belly rubs. Some do, and they're lucky indeed.

Whether Mango is truly stretching or simply angling for attention, he's turned Carmen's workout into a laugh-filled duet. Exercise is always easier with a cheerful partner, and few are as fluffy or as dramatic as this one.

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