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Smiling gray-haired woman sits on a beach boardwalk deck while a gray Russian Blue cat perches beside her. 33 / 38

Most People Bring a Towel to the Beach. Grandma Brought a Russian Blue.

AI imagerussian blueboardwalkbeach

Just past the weathered railing, the ocean glints under a bright sky, and the boardwalk deck is warm in the sun. Grandma Dottie sits on a wooden bench with her chunky cardigan wrapped around her, smiling down at Sterling. The Russian Blue has hopped up beside her and settled on his haunches, one paw on the bench and his green eyes lifted toward her face, his whiskers catching the sea breeze. Sandals are kicked off on the boards nearby, potted beach grass and flowers line the deck, and a basket of colorful towels waits for later.

Taking a cat to the beach is unusual, and it works only for cats who are calm, harness-trained and comfortable with new places. Beaches bring loud noises, dogs, gulls and crowds, so a secure harness, leash and carrier are essential. Sand gets hot quickly, so check the surface with your own hand before letting paws touch down, and stick to shaded areas. Salt water shouldn't be swallowed, and fresh drinking water should always be on hand. For many cats, a quiet porch or deck near the water, like this one, is a far better choice than the busy sand itself. Watch closely for signs of stress and head home early if needed.

Sterling seems content with the view from right here. The waves can keep rolling; he's found the best seat on the boardwalk, right next to his favorite person.

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