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A smiling older man gently bathes a wet gray cat in soapy water inside an old metal tub in a backyard. 30 / 37

Earl Filled the Old Tub with Suds. Pewter Gave Him a Look He Will Remember.

AI imagerussian bluebath timebackyard

An old galvanized tub sits in the backyard, filled with suds, and Earl bends over it with his sleeves pushed up and a patient smile. Pewter stands in the middle of the water, her gray coat dark and slick, a few bubbles clinging to her fur. She looks off to the side with wide yellow-green eyes, the picture of resigned dignity. A green garden hose, a pair of work gloves hanging on the fence, and pots of flowers wait nearby on this quiet afternoon.

Most cats groom themselves very well and do not need frequent baths, but there are times a gentle wash helps, such as when she has gotten into something sticky or messy. If you do bathe a cat, use lukewarm water and a shampoo made for cats, since human products can irritate her skin. Keep the water shallow, support her chest, avoid her face, and rinse thoroughly so no soap is left to lick off. Dry her with a soft towel and keep her indoors in a warm spot until she is fully dry. Short-coated cats like Russian Blues have dense, plush fur that takes a little time to dry. Calm voices and treats help, and if she becomes very stressed, stop and try again another day. Ask your vet if you are unsure whether a bath is a good idea or what products to use.

Earl is gentle, quick, and kind. Pewter is wet, patient, and absolutely planning her fluffing-up afterward.

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An older man in glasses sprays a car with a hose in a driveway at dusk while a gray cat leaps through the water.Earl Turned On the Hose to Wash the Car. Pewter Saw a Brand New Game.A smiling older man crouches on weathered porch steps beside a gray Russian Blue cat with bright yellow-green eyes.Earl Stopped on the Porch Steps for One Important Hello with Pewter
A smiling older man in glasses holds a sandwich on a bench while a gray Russian Blue cat leans in to sniff it.Earl Unwrapped His Lunch on the Bench. Pewter Got Very Interested, Very Fast.A smiling older man and a fluffy gray cat lean together for a close-up on a wooden deck at golden hour.Earl Got Down on the Deck to Get Closer to Pewter. She Leaned In Too.An older man waters purple and pink flowers with a metal watering can while a gray cat sits watching beside him.Earl Watered the Flowers at Sunrise. Pewter Kept a Close Watch on Him.An older man in glasses reads a book aloud on a couch while a gray cat gazes up at him in warm sunlight.Earl Opened His Book and Began to Read Out Loud. Pewter Never Looked Away.