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An elderly man in a cable-knit cardigan flips pancakes on a gas stove while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits on the floor below. 9 / 31

Pancake Morning at Grandpa Otis's House Comes With a Very Patient Audience

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Two golden pancakes sizzle in a cast-iron skillet, and Grandpa Otis is sliding a wooden spatula under one with a practiced hand. He's wearing a cream cable-knit cardigan over a dark collared shirt, focused and calm at the old gas stove. Down on the speckled floor, Saffron sits perfectly upright, tail curled around her paws, gazing up at the pan with polite, unwavering attention. A dish towel hangs from the counter, jars of grains line the back, and soft window light fills the kitchen.

This is exactly where a curious cat should be while someone cooks: on the floor, a safe distance from the hot stove. Abyssinians are climbers and jumpers, so they may be tempted to leap onto counters to investigate, which can lead to burns from burners or hot pans. Teaching a cat to wait in a designated spot, rewarding it with a treat or praise for staying put, can make kitchen time safer for everyone. Pancakes themselves aren't a good cat snack, since they're mostly flour, sugar, and butter, and syrup is far too sugary. Raw batter containing eggs and flour shouldn't be shared either. A bit of plain cooked meat or a regular cat treat is a better reward for good manners.

Saffron's patience here is impressive for such an energetic breed. It's a sign of a cat who knows the routine and trusts that good things come to those who wait.

When the stack is finished and Grandpa Otis sits down to eat, Saffron will likely get a treat for her excellent kitchen etiquette. Everyone wins on pancake morning.

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