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A white-haired woman in a green quilted vest sleeps in a rope hammock with a ruddy Abyssinian cat asleep against her side. 34 / 34

Grandma Ruth Climbed Into the Hammock for a Nap. She Wasn't Alone for Long.

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Strung between an old oak and the corner post of a blue garden shed, the rope hammock sways ever so slightly in the breeze. Grandma Ruth has sunk deep into it, eyes closed, cheeks soft with sleep, her green quilted vest zipped over a cozy gray sweatshirt. Saffron has nestled right into the crook of her arm, one paw stretched across her chest, eyes shut tight and chin resting against her sleeve. Behind them, the shed's porch holds a mesh bag of gardening odds and ends, a pair of work gloves, potted plants, a watering can, and a plaid blanket draped over the rail. Fallen leaves are scattered on the ground below.

Napping with a pet is a simple pleasure that many people treasure. The warmth, steady breathing, and soft weight of a sleeping cat can feel deeply calming, and many owners say a nap with their pet is one of the most restful parts of the day. If you share a hammock with a cat, a few tips help. Make sure the hammock is securely tied and stable before climbing in, and avoid swinging hard, since a sudden lurch can startle a cat into scrambling with claws out. Keep an eye on the weather too, because cats can get chilly in cooler air. A light blanket over both of you solves that nicely.

The afternoon will slip by with nothing more than the creak of rope and the rustle of leaves. Some of the best days, Ruth would say, are the ones where nothing at all happens.

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