The Pancake Was Mid-Flip and Maple Was Watching Every Move
A pancake sizzles in a skillet, another waits on the spatula and a very patient cat watches from the stovetop edge. Grandma Nora stands in her cozy cable-knit cardigan with a fond smile, eyes on the pan. Maple sits as upright as a statue, her long brown tabby fur fluffed out and her tail sweeping the floor behind her. Her gaze follows each move of the spatula with polite hope. The counter behind them is full of breakfast, with a mixing bowl, butter, a dish of fruit and a blue-plaid towel.
Kitchens are tempting for cats, but they are a risky place for a curious pet. Hot burners, splattering oil and hot pans can cause burns, so it is safest to keep a cat off the stove while cooking. Training her to wait on a nearby perch or in her own spot at mealtime can help. Pancakes themselves are not made for cats, because they often include sugar, butter and milk, and syrup can contain ingredients that are unsafe for pets. Cats are meat eaters, so their food should be a complete cat diet, and any treats should be small. If your cat seems unwell after eating something odd, call your vet.
Nora hums a little as she works, and Maple's tail gives a slow swish of anticipation. It is a quiet negotiation that happens in kitchens everywhere, one side holding the spatula and the other holding the high ground. The pancakes will go on the plate, the cat will get her own special breakfast and Saturday morning will keep smelling like butter.
