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Elderly couple painting a garden scene at a wooden easel in a backyard while an orange cat sits in the grass beside them 21 / 33

Harold and Bev Set Up the Easel Outside. Toffee Picked His Spot Right Next to It.

AI imageexotic shorthairpaintingbackyard

Two brushes, one canvas and a whole lot of patience. Harold and Bev sit shoulder to shoulder in the backyard, both in their cream cable-knit sweaters, leaning toward a wooden easel where a leafy garden scene is slowly coming to life. Bev holds the palette, its wells smeared with greens, blues and soft yellows, while both of them dab carefully at the same little corner of the painting. Down in the grass, Toffee sits planted like a furry orange loaf, his ringed tail curled around him and his round face turned away with an air of mild indifference. Pots of herbs, a coiled garden hose and a weathered wooden fence fill in the background.

Art supplies and curious cats can be a tricky mix, so it helps to know what to watch for. Many paints, thinners and brush cleaners are not safe for pets to lick or walk through, and cats groom constantly, which means anything on their paws or fur tends to end up in their mouths. Keep rinse water, solvent jars and open tubes out of reach, and clean up drips right away. Water-based, nontoxic paints are the gentler choice when pets are around. If a cat does get paint on its coat, avoid harsh cleaners and talk to your vet about how to remove it safely.

Toffee may not look impressed, but he stayed for the whole session. In cat terms, that is basically a rave review.

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