Earl Bundled Up to Shovel the Driveway. A Cream Cat Disappeared in the Snow.
Snow blankets the driveway, the garage door across the street is frosted over, and Earl has bundled up in a quilted black vest and gloves to tackle the morning's shoveling. He leans on the handle and glances down with a fond, slightly exasperated smile. Custard has waded into the fresh powder right in front of his shovel, front paws sinking, cream fur blending into the white so well that she almost disappears. Her frowning face and crouched stance suggest she is not entirely sure she approves of all this cold, but she is not leaving either.
Winter outings call for extra care with cats. Short exposure to snow is fine for many healthy cats, but they can get chilled quickly, especially if their coat gets wet, and older or smaller cats lose heat faster. Keep snow play brief and supervised, and dry your cat thoroughly once she comes inside. Ice-melt products and road salt can irritate paw pads and are harmful if licked off, so wipe paws with a damp cloth after walking on treated surfaces, or use pet-safe products on your own steps. Antifreeze is another big danger in winter, since even a small amount is extremely toxic. Any spill should be cleaned up right away.
Custard will likely be back on the radiator within ten minutes. For now, though, she has a job to do, and that job seems to be standing exactly where Earl needs to shovel next.
