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A smiling white-haired woman sits on a wooden dock with her feet in a lake as a ruddy Abyssinian cat sits dry beside her. 22 / 34

Grandma Dipped Her Feet in the Lake. Saffron Had Strong Opinions About It.

AI imageabyssinian catlake dockgrandma

Grandma Ruth has rolled up her pant legs, slipped off her shoes, and dipped both feet into the cool, still water at the end of the old wooden dock. Ripples spread out in slow circles around her ankles. Her white hair is wild from the breeze, her green quilted vest zipped up against the cloudy afternoon, and she is laughing down at her companion. Saffron sits on the weathered boards right next to her, front paws tucked close, golden eyes studying the water with polite suspicion. He is happy to be on the dock. He has no plans to join her in the lake. Trees and quiet houses line the far shore.

Docks and lakeshores can be peaceful places to bring a pet, but water safety is worth a thought. Most cats can swim if they have to, though many prefer not to, and a slip off a dock into deep or cold water can be frightening and dangerous. Keeping a cat on a harness and leash near open water is a simple safeguard. Watch out for fishing line and hooks left on docks, since cats are drawn to dangling strings, and avoid letting pets drink lake water, which can carry bacteria or algae. A shaded spot and fresh water from home are always good ideas on warm days.

Ruth will stay until her toes start to wrinkle. Saffron will stay too, perfectly dry and perfectly content, watching the water as if it might do something interesting any minute now.

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