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An elderly couple sit on a weathered lake dock with their feet in the water while a fluffy Siamese cat sits beside them. 5 / 31

Their Feet Went in the Lake. The Siamese Made a Very Different Choice.

AI imagesiamese catlake docksummer

The dock has seen better days, with gray boards, loose nails and a few planks that sag a little, but Ruth and Harold would not trade it for anything. They sit side by side at the edge, pants rolled up and bare feet dangling in the cool lake water. Harold kicks just enough to send up a small splash. Ruth, in a soft beige cardigan, smiles with her hands folded in her lap. Miso has claimed the boards right in front of them, sitting tall and dry with his fluffy cream coat and dark point face, blue eyes calm and steady. He is clearly here for the company, not the swimming.

Most cats dislike getting wet, and that is not just stubbornness. A soaked coat is heavy, takes a long time to dry and can leave a cat chilled. If your cat joins you near water, keep a close eye on it, because docks can be slippery and deep water is dangerous for any animal that falls in unexpectedly. A harness and leash are a sensible choice around lakes and pools. Some owners also like to show a cat a safe way out of the water, such as steps or a ramp, just in case. Shade and fresh drinking water matter on warm days too, since lake water is not a good choice for drinking.

Three friends, one creaky dock and a lake full of reflected sky. Some evenings do not need anything more than that.

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