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A smiling white-haired grandmother at a lace-covered table with tea and cookies as a Siamese cat rests its paws on the table. 17 / 36

The Lace Tablecloth Was Out, the Cookies Were Plated, and Then Miso Stood Up

AI imagesiamese catafternoon teakitchen

Teatime at Grandma Edie's table is a proper affair: a white lace tablecloth, a mug of milky tea, a glass of water, folded napkins, and a plate of golden butter cookies. And today there is a guest of honor. Miso has stood up on her hind legs, front paws resting politely on the lace, and turned her blue eyes up to Edie's face as if waiting to be served. Edie, in a beige quilted vest and gray sweater, laughs warmly down at her, clearly delighted by the cat's nerve. Sunlight spills across the cozy kitchen behind them, with wooden cabinets, a little potted succulent, and a soft throw draped over a chair.

Cats are curious about everything on the table, but tea, coffee, and many baked goods are not good for them. Caffeine can be harmful to cats even in small amounts. Milk, despite its old reputation, upsets the stomachs of many adult cats, which often have trouble digesting lactose. Sugary cookies offer nothing a cat needs, since cats are obligate carnivores that rely on meat for nutrition. If you want to include your cat at teatime, a small cat treat or a dish of fresh water on a nearby chair is a kind and safe way to do it.

Miso will not be getting a cookie today, but she has won something better: a laugh, a scratch under the chin, and a seat at the table in every way that counts.

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