Browse ›
Laughing white-haired grandma in a cream vest sits at a lace-covered tea table as a grey Scottish Fold cat sits on the table. 6 / 27

Grandma Set Out the Good Lace for Tea. Her Guest Sat Right on It.

AI imagescottish foldafternoon teagrandma and cat

Ruth set the table properly, with the good lace cloth, flowered cups, and the pale green teapot. She did not, however, plan for her guest to sit on it. Pebble, round and velvety grey, has settled himself in the very middle of the lace, right between the teacups and a plate of shortbread cookies. His folded ears are tucked low and his amber eyes are half-lidded with royal calm. Ruth, in a cream quilted vest today, leans in behind him and laughs, clearly unable to scold a face like that. Sunlight from the window falls across a houseplant and the cluttered kitchen counter behind them.

Scottish Folds get their famous ears from a natural gene mutation that affects cartilage. That same gene can also affect cartilage in the joints, so some Folds develop stiffness or discomfort in their legs and tail as they age. Owners are often encouraged to watch for signs like reluctance to jump, an odd gait, or a stiff tail, and to keep regular checkups with the vet. Keeping a Fold at a healthy weight helps take strain off the joints, and soft, low places to rest, like a cushioned chair or a sunny table spot, are often appreciated.

The tea may get a little cold while Ruth pours around her guest. That's fine. Some of the best tea parties are the ones where nobody follows the rules, especially the one wearing fur.

More from this collection

All 27 →
Grandma in a green quilted vest gently bathes a wet grey Scottish Fold cat in a soapy galvanized metal tub in the yard.Pebble Thought It Was a Normal Afternoon Until He Saw the WashtubGrandma in glasses and a green vest plants a tomato seedling as a grey Scottish Fold digs a hole in the soil next to her.Ruth Dug One Neat Hole for Her Tomato. Pebble Dug Another One.
Grandma in a vest reaches for a red apple on a branch while a large grey Scottish Fold sniffs fallen apples in the grass.Grandma Reached for the Best Apple on the Tree. Pebble Went Lower.Grandma in glasses and a green vest hand-stitches a patchwork quilt while a grey Scottish Fold sleeps on the fabric pile.Grandma Needed Just One More Square of Fabric. It Was Under the Cat.Grandma in a quilted vest holds a fishing rod on a wooden dock at dusk while a grey Scottish Fold sits beside her watching.The Fish Weren't Biting. Pebble Had One Very Important Question.White-haired grandma in a green quilted vest sits on a covered porch watching the rain with a grey Scottish Fold on her lap.It Rained All Afternoon, and Neither of Them Wanted It to Stop