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A white-haired woman in a green quilted vest holds a ruddy Abyssinian cat wrapped in a plaid blanket by a rainy doorway. 28 / 34

The Rain Caught Them on the Walk Home. Grandma Ruth Knew Exactly What to Do.

AI imageabyssinian catrainy dayblanket

The rain came on faster than expected, and the walk home was a damp one. Now, just inside the front door, Grandma Ruth cradles Saffron in her arms, wrapped snugly in a tan plaid blanket so only his face and big ears poke out. His fur is still a little spiky with rainwater, and he gazes up with a slightly put-upon expression. Ruth, her own white hair damp and her green quilted vest beaded with drops, looks down at him with quiet tenderness. Behind them the door stands open to a gray, wet yard, with black rain boots and a blue umbrella left near the entryway.

Cats generally dislike getting soaked, and a wet coat can leave them chilly, especially short-haired breeds like the Abyssinian that lack a heavy undercoat. After a cat gets caught in the rain, gently towel-drying the fur and letting it warm up in a cozy, draft-free room is the kindest approach. Wrapping a cat loosely in a soft towel or blanket can help, but let it wriggle free if it wants to. Avoid using a hair dryer on high heat, since it can startle or burn. It is also a good moment to wipe the paws, as puddles and sidewalks can carry road salt or chemicals that a cat might lick off later.

A few minutes of snuggling and Saffron will be dry, warm, and ready to forget the whole ordeal. Ruth, on the other hand, will remember this little bundle of damp fur for a long time.

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