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A smiling elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron holds a fluffy orange cat in her arms at an outdoor produce market. 7 / 33

Abuela Carmen Went to the Market for Avocados. Everyone Noticed What She Was Carrying.

AI imageorange catfarmers marketgrandparents

The farmers market is bustling, but Abuela Carmen's favorite find isn't on any of the tables. She stands in the sun in her blue tee and floral apron, gray hair pinned up, cradling Mango against her chest with both arms and smiling a wide, crinkly smile. The fluffy orange cat looks perfectly at home, his front paw resting on her arm, ear tufts catching the breeze, his amber eyes calmly surveying the crowd. Behind them, canvas awnings shade crates of avocados, oranges, peppers, and leafy greens, with potted agave and baskets of herbs lined along the wall.

How you hold a cat makes a big difference to how secure they feel. The key is support: one hand or arm under the chest just behind the front legs, and the other supporting the hindquarters so the back legs aren't dangling. Holding a cat close against your body, as Carmen is doing, helps them feel steady. Avoid lifting by the scruff or by the front legs alone. Big, fluffy cats can be heavier than they look, so lift with your legs and take care with your back. In busy public spaces, a secure carrier is a safer way to travel in case your cat gets startled.

Mango doesn't seem the least bit bothered by the crowd, probably because he's exactly where he wants to be. Carmen came for fresh produce, but she's clearly holding the sweetest thing at the whole market.

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