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An elderly Asian American grandpa in a brown sweater sits on a lake dock with his feet in the water beside a black Devon Rex. 20 / 21

Grandpa Dipped His Toes in the Lake. Pepper Stayed Dry and Got Closer Instead.

AI imagedevon rexlake docksummer

The lake is calm and glassy, and Grandpa Kenji has rolled up his trousers to dip his bare feet into the cool water at the end of the dock. He sits in a brown V-neck sweater over a blue shirt, glasses on, looking down with a gentle, contented smile. Pepper has pressed herself against his side, front paws on the dock edge and curly black body leaning into him, her big ears turned toward his face. Red flowers in pots, a cooler, a garden hose and a pale house sit along the shore behind them in the warm evening light.

Cats are often curious about water but usually prefer to stay dry, and a Devon Rex, with her thin coat, tends to chill quickly when wet. Near lakes and docks, a harness and leash are a sensible precaution, since a curious cat leaning over the edge could slip in. Lake water may contain bacteria or algae, so fresh drinking water should always be available. Dock boards can splinter, and warm planks can heat up on sunny afternoons, so checking surfaces before letting a cat sit is a good habit. Bringing a cat home before dusk helps avoid encounters with wildlife.

Sitting at the end of a dock with your feet in the water is one of summer's simplest pleasures. For older adults, it is a peaceful way to slow down and enjoy the season.

Pepper has no interest in the water itself. She is here strictly for Kenji, and she is staying as close as she can.

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