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An elderly Black grandma dozes in a brown recliner while a fluffy orange cat sleeps stretched along the armrest. 26 / 30

Grandma Odessa Meant to Watch Her Afternoon Show. The Recliner Won Again.

AI imageorange catreclinernap time

Late afternoon sun is pouring through the sheer curtains, catching the dust in the air and laying a warm stripe across the living room. The TV is dark, the remote abandoned on the stand next to a mug and a houseplant, and a sweater lies tossed over the table. Odessa has drifted off in her big brown recliner, head tipped to one side and cheek resting against the cushion, a mauve cardigan pulled snug around her shoulders. Right beside her, stretched along the plump armrest like a draped orange scarf, Marmalade is just as deeply asleep. His eyes are closed tight, his chin rests on the edge, and his long tail hangs down the side of the chair.

It is no coincidence that cats so often choose the same nap spot as their people. Armrests and sofa backs are elevated, warm, and close to someone they trust, all things cats look for in a resting place. Cats also tend to sync up with their household's routines, settling down when the house gets quiet. For seniors, a pet who naps alongside them can be a gentle comfort, and having a calm animal nearby is something many people find relaxing. If you have a recliner, check that a cat is not hiding underneath or in the footrest mechanism before you move it, since curious cats sometimes crawl inside.

The show Odessa meant to watch has long since ended, and that is just fine. The sun will slide across the room, the house will stay quiet, and two sleepy companions will wake up whenever they feel like it.

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