Grandma Wrapped Up in Her Quilt by the Fire. Marmalade Had to Choose His Spot.
A fire is crackling low in the hearth, logs glowing orange and a few sparks drifting up the chimney. Odessa has wrapped herself in a patchwork quilt stitched from faded calicos and plaids, a brown knit shawl around her shoulders underneath. She gazes down with a tender smile at Marmalade, who has climbed up onto her lap and planted both front paws on the quilt, his long orange fur glowing gold in the firelight. His ears are tipped toward the flames, and he looks like he is weighing whether to curl up right here or stretch out on the warm hearth. A basket of yarn and a stack of firewood sit within easy reach.
Cats adore warmth, and a fireplace can draw them like a magnet. That makes a few safety steps important. A sturdy fireplace screen keeps curious paws and fluffy tails away from sparks and embers, and long-haired cats can be at greater risk since loose fur can catch more easily. Keep matches, lighters, and fire-starting products stored away. Candles are another hazard, as a swishing tail can knock one over in a second. Make sure the room is well ventilated and that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. A cozy blanket at a safe distance from the fire gives a cat all the warmth without the risk.
Marmalade seems to have settled on the smartest option anyway: Odessa's quilt-covered lap, warm from the fire but well out of reach of the sparks. On a cold evening, there is hardly a better seat in the house.
