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Grandma with curly grey hair and glasses sits in a wooden rocking chair as a fluffy orange cat sleeps against her slippers. 22 / 27

Opal Hasn't Rocked Her Chair in an Hour, and the Reason Is on Her Feet

AI imageorange longhair catrocking chairnap time

Opal sits back in her old wooden rocking chair, dressed head to toe in soft oatmeal knits, her hands folded in her lap and her glasses perched on her nose. She hasn't rocked in a while, and there's a good reason. Curled on the woven rug at her feet, with his chin resting right on her grey felt slippers, is Butterscotch. The orange longhair is fast asleep, eyes closed, his fluffy tail stretched out behind him, a few tufts of shed fur scattered on the rug around him. Opal looks down at him with a quiet, tender expression. A mug sits on the side table, and houseplants and blankets soften the sunny room.

Cats who sleep on their owner's feet or shoes are often drawn by warmth and familiar scent, and it's a sign of comfort and trust. Rocking chairs need a little caution with a pet who likes to sleep close. Tails and paws can get pinched under the rockers, so a quick look before rocking is a good habit. Those tufts of fur on the rug are a reminder that longhaired cats shed, especially as the seasons change. Brushing several times a week helps keep the coat healthy and reduces hairballs, and many longhaired cats benefit from extra attention to tangles behind the ears and under the legs.

Opal's rocking chair will stay still for as long as Butterscotch keeps snoozing. Some afternoons are perfect just as they are.

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