Browse ›
An elderly Black grandma holds up a long-haired orange cat at a frosty window as snow falls on the trees outside. 8 / 30

The First Snow Started Falling, and Grandma Odessa Had to Show Marmalade

AI imageorange catwintersnow

Snow is drifting down past the window in big, slow flakes, frosting the evergreens and the neighbor's roof. Inside, Odessa has scooped Marmalade up in both arms and hoisted him to the glass so he can see, his front paws braced against her shoulder and his long body dangling down in a cascade of orange fur and fluffy tail. She is smiling up at him with pure fondness, her gray cardigan wrapped snug against the chill coming off the window. Marmalade has his ears forward and his eyes fixed on the falling snow, completely absorbed. A potted plant on the sill and a pair of glasses on the table complete the cozy winter scene.

Many indoor cats are fascinated by what happens on the other side of the window: birds, falling leaves, and especially drifting snow. Window watching is a simple, free form of enrichment that can keep a cat mentally engaged, sometimes called cat television by fond owners. A sturdy window perch or a cleared sill gives cats a safe, comfortable viewing spot. In winter, make sure the area is not too drafty, and keep an eye on space heaters nearby. Long-haired cats like Marmalade handle cool temperatures better than most, but indoor cats still appreciate a warm bed or blanket to retreat to after their snow-watching session.

After a few minutes of this, Marmalade will no doubt wriggle down and stalk off to his favorite warm spot by the radiator. But for this one quiet moment, Odessa and her cat are sharing the season's first snowfall together, eye to eye with winter.

More from this collection

All 30 →
An elderly Black grandma smiles at an orange longhair cat resting a paw on a lace tablecloth set with lemon tea and a cookie.One Butter Cookie on the Plate, and One Orange Paw Slowly Reaching for the LaceAn elderly Black grandma tucks a cream blanket around an orange longhair cat curled in a round plaid pet bed.Grandma Odessa Has a Bedtime Routine for Marmalade, and It Involves a Blanket
An elderly Black grandma wrapped in a patchwork quilt sits by a fireplace with an orange longhair cat on her lap.Grandma Wrapped Up in Her Quilt by the Fire. Marmalade Had to Choose His Spot.An elderly Black grandma walks down a country road at sunset with a fluffy orange cat trotting beside her.Grandma Odessa Took an Evening Walk Down the Country Road. She Didn't Go Alone.An elderly Black grandma on hands and knees on a green mat smiles at an orange longhair cat crouched in front of her.Grandma Got Down on Her Mat for Morning Stretches. Marmalade Got Down Too.An elderly Black grandma sitting on a woven rug holds the raised paw of a fluffy orange cat during a shake lesson.Everyone Says Cats Can't Learn Tricks. Grandma Odessa Disagrees.