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An older man in overalls sits at the end of a lake dock with bare feet in the water, a fluffy white cat sitting beside him. 7 / 35

Grandpa Dipped His Feet in the Lake. His Cat Had a Different Idea About the Water.

AI imagewhite catlake docksummer evening

Evening has settled over the lake, the water gone smooth and silvery, and Hank has rolled up his overalls to dip his bare feet over the edge of the old wooden dock. He sits with his hands on his knees and a peaceful, crinkly-eyed smile, the kind that comes after a long day finally ends. Right beside him, safely on the dry boards, sits Cotton, fluffy tail wrapped around her paws, gazing out across the water with calm interest. Red geraniums bloom in a pot on the porch behind them, and a small boat ramp and green shoreline curve away in the distance.

Notice that Cotton has chosen to keep her paws dry. Most cats prefer to stay out of water, though they are capable of swimming if they must. Docks and pools can still be risky for pets, because a startled or curious cat that slips in may struggle to find a way back out, especially where there are steep sides and no ramp or steps. Keeping an eye on pets near open water, never leaving them unattended on a dock, and making sure older or less agile animals stay well back from the edge are simple precautions. Lake water can also carry algae or bacteria, so offer fresh drinking water instead.

The lake is quiet, the boards are warm from the day, and Hank and Cotton seem perfectly in tune as the light fades.

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