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An older man in overalls and a plaid shirt holds a white cat swaddled in a cream knit blanket inside a doorway. 2 / 35

They Got Caught in the Rain on the Way Home. Grandpa Knew Just What to Do.

AI imagewhite catrainy dayfarmhouse

Rain is still streaking the open doorway and a wet black jacket drips from a peg on the wall, but inside it is all comfort. Hank stands in his denim overalls and flannel shirt, cradling Cotton against his chest in a thick cream knit blanket. Only her white face peeks out of the bundle, ears slightly back and eyes half closed, looking both a little damp and deeply relieved. Hank gazes down at her with tender concern, his weathered hands holding the blanket firmly in place, while muddy boots wait on the mat by the door.

Most cats dislike getting wet, and there are good reasons. A soaked coat is heavy, it takes a long time to dry, and it no longer insulates well, so a wet cat can get chilled quickly. Gently blotting with a soft towel or blanket, rather than rubbing hard, helps remove water without tangling longer fur. A warm, draft-free room is the best place to finish drying, and many cats will groom themselves the rest of the way. Hair dryers can be frightening and can easily get too hot, so if you use one, keep it on a low, cool setting and at a distance. If a cat seems to be shivering for a long time or acts unusually lethargic afterward, talk to your vet.

The rain can keep falling outside. Cotton is warm, Hank is home, and the blanket is doing exactly what it was made to do.

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