Browse ›
An older woman in glasses washes a soaked ruddy Abyssinian cat in a sudsy galvanized tub in the yard at dusk. 8 / 34

Grandma Filled the Old Metal Tub With Bubbles. Saffron's Face Said It All.

AI imageabyssinian catcat bathbackyard

Saffron's expression says everything. Soaked to the skin and perched in an old galvanized tub full of suds, the ruddy Abyssinian stares straight ahead with the flat, unimpressed look of a cat who did not sign up for this. Grandma Ruth, her white hair twisted into a bun and her glasses slipping down, is all gentle hands and soft murmurs as she works the lather into his shoulders. The yard around them is lit by a single porch lamp, with a basket of laundry on a table, garden tools leaning on the wall, and a pair of work gloves tossed on the leaf-covered ground nearby.

Most cats keep themselves clean and rarely need a full bath, but sometimes one is unavoidable, like after a run-in with something sticky or smelly. If you must bathe a cat, use lukewarm water, a shampoo made for cats rather than one for people or dogs, and keep water away from the eyes and ears. Having towels ready before you start makes a big difference, and so does a calm voice. Rinse thoroughly, since leftover soap can irritate the skin and cats will lick their coats afterward. Dry the cat in a warm, draft-free room, because a wet cat chills easily, especially outdoors in the evening. If your cat panics in water, talk to your vet or a groomer about alternatives.

When this is over, Saffron will sulk for at least an hour, then forgive everything the moment the treat bag rattles. Ruth knows it, and so, deep down, does he.

More from this collection

All 34 →
A beaming white-haired woman in a green quilted vest holds a ruddy Abyssinian cat cheek to cheek on a wooden porch.Grandma Ruth Tried Her First Selfie With the Cat. Saffron Nailed the Pose.A smiling white-haired woman sits at the wheel of an old truck while a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits on the worn bench seat.Grandma's Old Pickup Has One Passenger Seat. Saffron Already Claimed It.
An older woman in a green quilted vest plays checkers on a porch table as a ruddy Abyssinian cat rests its chin on the edge.Grandma Was One Move From Winning at Checkers. Then She Noticed the Spectator.A ruddy Abyssinian cat sits in a muddy pumpkin patch in the foreground while a smiling white-haired woman stands behind.Grandma Went to Pick Pumpkins. Her Cat Had His Own Plans for the Patch.A white-haired woman in glasses hammers a wooden fence as a ruddy Abyssinian cat holds a thin stick in its mouth beside her.Grandma Ruth Was Fixing the Fence Alone. Then Her Assistant Arrived.A smiling white-haired woman in a green quilted jacket sits on a truck tailgate at dusk beside a ruddy Abyssinian cat.Grandma Dropped the Tailgate at the Edge of the Field. Saffron Hopped Up.