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A white-haired grandmother in a navy quilted vest gently bathes a wet, unhappy Siamese cat in a sudsy metal tub outdoors. 11 / 36

Grandma Edie Filled the Old Metal Tub With Suds. Miso Had Not Agreed to This.

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The galvanized tub is full of suds, and Miso is sitting right in the middle of it with an expression of deep personal betrayal. Her fur is soaked and darkened, her ears are tipped back, and her wide blue eyes say she would like to speak to the manager. Grandma Edie kneels beside the tub in a navy quilted vest over a plaid shirt, glasses pushed up on her white hair, gently scooping water over the cat's back with one careful hand. The yard around them is cluttered with garden gloves, a blue bucket, boots, clay pots, and a clothesline full of laundry swaying behind the fence.

Most cats keep themselves clean and rarely need a full bath, but sometimes it is necessary, such as when a cat gets into something sticky or smelly. If you do bathe a cat, use lukewarm water, a shampoo made for cats rather than one for people or dogs, and keep water away from the eyes and ears. Work quickly and calmly, rinse thoroughly, and dry the cat with a towel somewhere warm and draft-free. An outdoor tub is risky if the cat bolts while wet, so a bathroom with a closed door is usually safer. If your cat seems to need frequent baths, talk to your vet.

Miso will forgive Grandma Edie eventually, probably after a warm towel and a few treats. In the meantime, she will make sure everyone knows exactly how she feels about this outrageous afternoon.

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A white-haired grandmother knits on a sofa as a Siamese cat lies beside her completely tangled in loops of cream yarn.Grandma Edie Kept Knitting. She Had No Idea Where the Rest of the Yarn Went.A white-haired grandmother plays an old upright piano while a Siamese cat sits beside her on the wooden bench.Grandma Edie Sat Down at the Old Piano. Her Duet Partner Was Already on the Bench.A white-haired grandmother works on a wooden fence while a Siamese cat sits beside her holding a small twig in its mouth.Grandma Edie Was Fixing the Old Fence. Miso Showed Up With Her Own Tool.A smiling white-haired grandmother at a lace-covered table with tea and cookies as a Siamese cat rests its paws on the table.The Lace Tablecloth Was Out, the Cookies Were Plated, and Then Miso Stood Up