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An elderly Black grandma sips lemonade through a straw on a shaded porch while a fluffy orange cat sits on her lap. 21 / 30

Grandma Poured Herself a Cold Lemonade, and Marmalade Claimed the Coolest Seat

AI imageorange catlemonadeporch

The porch is deep in shade, the kind of cool refuge that makes a hot afternoon bearable. A wicker chair with a cushion sits off to one side, potted plants line the railing, and a pair of sneakers and a folded towel rest by the door. Odessa, in a faded chambray shirt over a gray tee, takes a long, slow sip of lemonade through a straw, the glass sweating and a slice of lemon floating among the ice. Marmalade has made himself at home right on her lap, his long orange coat spilling everywhere and his plumed tail curling down her leg. He gazes off toward the yard with a calm, regal expression, ignoring the glass completely.

Long-haired cats can feel the summer heat more than their short-haired cousins, so shady spots like this porch are a smart choice. Keep fresh water available indoors and out, and make sure cats always have a cool place to retreat. Regular brushing helps remove loose undercoat and prevents mats, which can trap heat against the skin. Signs a cat may be getting too warm include panting, restlessness, drooling, or lethargy, and those should be taken seriously; move the cat somewhere cool and call your vet. And while lemonade is refreshing for people, citrus and sugar are not good for cats, so this one is for Odessa alone.

Marmalade does not seem to mind. He has the best seat on the porch, a gentle breeze, and his favorite person nearby. On a summer afternoon like this, that is plenty for any cat.

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