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An elderly woman in a gray cardigan and floral apron tucks a calico cat under a cream blanket in a round plush pet bed. 5 / 21

Abuela Rosa Has a Bedtime Ritual, and Her Calico Pretends Not to Love It

AI imagecalico catcat bedbedtime

Bedtime has its own rituals, and Abuela Rosa takes them seriously. Wearing a gray cardigan over her flowered apron, she leans down over a round, fluffy pet bed and smooths a cream-colored blanket around Canela's shoulders. The calico peeks out from the folds with heavy eyelids and a patient expression, tolerating the fuss because she secretly enjoys it. Around them the room is cozy and lived-in: a wicker basket overflowing with laundry, slippers by the wall, a stuffed toy on the shelf, and a pile of papers waiting for another day.

Round, raised-edge beds like this one are popular with cats for good reason. Cats like to curl up tightly to conserve body heat, and a bolstered rim gives them something to lean against and a sense of being protected on all sides. Adding a soft blanket or an old shirt that smells like their person can make a new bed much more appealing. Placement matters too: many cats prefer a spot that is warm, out of drafts, and a little off the main walkway, where they can see the room without being underfoot. If your cat ignores a new bed at first, try moving it to a favorite napping spot rather than forcing the issue. Cats tend to accept new things on their own schedule.

Canela will probably be back on the couch by morning. Still, there is something lovely about being tucked in by someone who loves you, whether you have two legs or four.

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