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An elderly woman in a floral apron sits behind the wheel of an old truck with a large orange tabby cat beside her. 1 / 35

Abuela Rosa Climbed Into Her Old Pickup. Mango Had Already Claimed the Best Seat.

AI imageorange tabbygrandma and catpickup truck

The cab of the old pickup has seen better decades. The seats are cracked brown leather, the steering wheel is worn smooth, and a faded blue towel is bunched up where someone gets comfortable. Abuela Rosa, silver hair pinned up and a flowered apron over her denim shirt, rests one hand on the wheel and smiles down at her passenger. Mango, a big orange tabby with amber eyes and a creamy chin, sits upright on the bench seat like he owns the title to the truck. Through the window, potted plants line a sunny wall, so wherever they are going, it is probably not far.

Cats and cars are not always a natural pair, and most cats are happier traveling in a secure carrier than loose in the cab. A cat roaming free can slip under the pedals or bolt out an open door at the worst moment. If a cat needs to ride along for a vet visit or a move, short practice trips help a lot: leave the carrier out at home with a soft blanket and a treat inside, then try a quick drive around the block. Calm voices, a cool cabin, and never leaving a pet alone in a parked car go a long way. If a cat gets very stressed on the road, talk to your vet about ways to make travel easier.

For now, though, the engine is off and the only trip happening is a slow look at each other. Mango seems certain he is the co-pilot, and Abuela Rosa is not about to argue with him.

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