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An elderly man wrapped in a white quilt sits by a lit fireplace with a blue point Ragdoll cat resting on his lap. 30 / 34

Grandpa Wen Wrapped Himself in a Quilt by the Fire. He Didn't Stay Alone Long.

AI imageragdoll catfireplacewinter evening

Logs crackle and glow in the brick fireplace, and Grandpa Wen has wrapped himself in a thick white quilt, cocooned from shoulders to knees. Tucked inside the folds on his lap is Misty, her silky cream body relaxed and her gray-tipped tail draped across the quilt. He strokes her neck gently, his face soft and content behind his glasses. A eucalyptus plant sits on the mantel, a mug and a pair of glasses rest nearby, and baskets of blankets and yarn fill the cozy corner.

Cats adore warmth, and a fireplace can be a magnet. While it makes for a cozy scene, open flames and hot surfaces require some precautions. Use a sturdy fireplace screen to keep sparks in and curious paws out, since a fluffy tail can easily get too close. Never leave a fire unattended with pets in the room. Ash and soot can irritate a cat's lungs and paws, and fireplace cleaning products and fire starters should be stored where pets can't reach them. Cats can overheat or singe their fur if they lie too close to a fire, so offering a warm bed a safe distance away is a good compromise. For older cats with stiff joints, a heated pet bed is a safe alternative to the hearth.

For many older adults, a cat on the lap and a fire in the hearth is about as close to perfect as an evening gets. The warmth is physical and emotional at once.

The fire will burn low, and the quilt will stay snug. Misty has made it clear she's not moving until morning, and Grandpa Wen is happy to oblige.

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