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A grandma with a silver braid holds a damp black Maine Coon wrapped in a chunky cream knit blanket by a rainy doorway. 22 / 24

The Rain Came Down Hard on the Walk Home, and Grandma Nell Had a Plan

AI imagemaine coonrainy dayblanket

Rain is still pouring outside the glass door, streaking the garden into a gray blur, and a pair of muddy rubber boots has been left on the mat to drip. Nell stands just inside, her braid damp and her denim shirt spotted with raindrops, cradling a bundle in her arms. Wrapped snugly in a chunky cream knit blanket is Onyx, only his face, one front paw, and the tip of his tail poking out. His black fur is still spiky and wet around his cheeks and ears, and his golden eyes look up at Nell with a slightly sheepish expression, as if this walk was not entirely his idea. She looks down at him with a fond, patient smile.

Maine Coons have a dense, water-resistant coat that helps shed light rain, but a real downpour can still leave them soaked to the skin. When a cat comes in wet, gently towel off as much water as possible, paying attention to the belly, legs, and paws, and let them finish drying in a warm, draft-free room. Avoid using a hot hair dryer, which can burn skin or frighten a cat; a low, cool setting is safer if your cat tolerates it at all. Check paws for mud or debris, and brush the coat once it is fully dry to prevent tangles from forming.

In a few minutes, Onyx will wriggle free and stalk off to his favorite warm spot to groom himself back to perfection. For now, though, he is content to stay bundled in Nell's arms, warm, safe, and decidedly finished with the weather.

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