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An elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron paints flowers at a backyard easel while a fluffy orange cat dozes beside it. 12 / 33

Abuela Carmen Was Painting Roses in the Garden. Her Cat Was Sending Her a Message.

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Abuela Carmen's backyard studio is open for the afternoon. She sits on a folding stool in a light blue shirt and floral apron, glasses on and hair clipped up, carefully adding pink petals to a small canvas of roses and leaves. Her palette rests on the easel ledge, smeared with soft greens, pinks, and blues. At her feet, Mango has sprawled across the flat stone, his big orange body stretched out long, eyes squeezed into happy slits and his fluffy tail draped over the ground. Potted aloe, a blue watering can, and garden odds and ends dot the yard behind the wooden fence.

That squinty, half-closed expression on Mango's face is one of the nicest things a cat can share. Cats often narrow their eyes or give slow blinks when they feel relaxed and safe, and many people consider it a sign of trust. You can even try it yourself: look softly at your cat and slowly close and open your eyes. Many cats will blink back. It's a gentle, nonthreatening way to say hello, and some shelters use it to help shy cats feel more at ease. Staring hard, on the other hand, can feel like a challenge to a cat, so softer is always better.

Mango's slow-blinking nap says everything about how he feels in Carmen's company. She has her roses to paint, and he has the warm stone and her familiar presence. It's a quiet partnership that needs no words at all.

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An elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron offers seed by a busy bird feeder while an orange longhaired cat sits watching.A Feeder Packed With Sparrows, and Mango Sitting Two Feet Away. Here's What Happened.An elderly Hispanic woman naps in a beige recliner in front of a TV while an orange longhaired cat lies on the armrest.Abuela Carmen Fell Asleep in Front of the TV. Mango Took Over From There.An elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron plays an upright piano while a fluffy orange cat sits beside her on the bench.Abuela Carmen Sat Down at the Old Piano. Her Duet Partner Arrived Right on Cue.An elderly Hispanic woman in a floral apron sleeps in a rope hammock with a fluffy orange cat curled beside her.Abuela Carmen Climbed Into the Hammock for a Quick Rest. Then Mango Joined Her.