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An older man in a fishing vest sits on a couch with a silver tabby cat asleep across his lap on top of an open newspaper. 9 / 35

Grandpa Hank Opened the Newspaper to the Sports Page. He Never Got to Read It.

AI imagesilver tabbynewspaperlap cat

Grandpa Hank meant to read the sports page, but Pewter got there first. Hank sits back on the couch in a gray tee and his green fishing vest, its pockets stuffed with lures, pens, and a pair of folding glasses. His white mustache hides a small smile as he looks down at his lap, where the silver tabby is fast asleep, sprawled right across the open newspaper with his chin resting on the headlines. The cat's striped tail curls around Hank's knee, and his paws are tucked in tight. Framed family photos, potted succulents, a basket, and a folded blanket fill the room behind them.

Cats have a famous habit of lying right on whatever you are reading, typing, or working on, and there are a few reasons why. Newspapers and laptops are often in the warmest, most interesting spot in the room: right on their person's lap. Paper also holds a bit of warmth and makes a satisfying crinkle. Most of all, a cat sitting on your reading material is often a request for attention, a gentle way of saying it is time to focus on them instead. If you want to finish an article, offering a lap blanket or a cushion beside you can give your cat a cozy alternative. But many people find a sleeping cat on their lap is reason enough to put the news aside.

The headlines will still be there tomorrow. For now, Hank is staying perfectly still, because everyone knows you never move when a cat falls asleep on you.

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