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Elderly couple sits on a wooden dock with bare feet in the water while a fluffy white cat sits on the dock's edge. 11 / 27

Grandma and Grandpa Dipped Their Toes in the Lake. Snowdrop Drew the Line.

AI imagenorwegian forest catlake docksummer

Summer at the lake means shoes off and toes in. Frank, in his cap and plaid shirt, and Ruth, in a soft blue cardigan, sit snuggled close at the end of the wooden dock with their bare feet dangling in the cool water, both grinning at the camera. Snowdrop has joined them, but she's drawn a very clear line. The white Norwegian Forest Cat sits primly on the lowest board, fluffy tail curled around her, with her paws just inches above the ripples and absolutely no intention of getting them wet. Flip-flops, a blue bucket and fishing poles are scattered along the dock behind them.

Norwegian Forest Cats have a thick, water-resistant coat, but that doesn't mean they enjoy swimming, and most cats prefer to stay dry. Docks and open water call for close supervision, since a cat that slips in can struggle to climb back out onto a dock or a steep bank. Some families keep a pet life jacket on hand for boating or dock time. Hot boards can also burn paw pads in summer, so check the surface with your hand. Fresh drinking water should always be available, because lake water can contain bacteria or algae that aren't safe for pets to drink.

Snowdrop has made her position perfectly clear: the water is for humans. She's happy to share the dock, the sunshine and the company, as long as everybody respects the dry-paw rule.

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