The Fire Was Crackling and the Blanket Was Big Enough for Three
A fire crackles in the stone hearth, a lamp glows warm in the corner, and Harold and Bev have burrowed under the thickest knitted blanket in the house. They're laughing at some private joke, cheeks pink in the firelight, their matching cream sweaters disappearing into the chunky knit. Front and center, stretched out across the blanket on their laps, Duchess lies with her head up and her blue eyes wide and bright. Her creamy coat looks almost golden in the firelight, and her dark seal points stand out sharply against the pale wool. A small plant and a few framed photos sit along the mantel shelf behind them.
Cats love warmth, and a fireplace can be irresistible, so it's worth taking a few precautions. Always use a sturdy screen to keep sparks in and curious paws out, and never leave a fire unattended with pets in the room. Long, fluffy tails like a Ragdoll's can brush close to flames or hot surfaces before a cat even notices. Keep fire tools, matches, and fire starters stored away, and check that smoke and carbon monoxide detectors are working. A warm blanket a safe distance from the hearth, like the one Duchess has claimed here, gives a cat all the coziness without the risk.
On a cold night, this might be the coziest scene in town. Harold and Bev have their fire and their laughter, and Duchess has the very best spot on the blanket.
