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A smiling woman with her feet in lake water reaches toward a fluffy tortoiseshell cat on a wooden dock. 22 / 27

Grandma Dangled Her Toes in the Lake While Maple Kept Dry on the Dock

AI imagetortoiseshell catlake docksummer

Grandma sits at the edge of the dock with her bare feet dangling in the lake, ripples spreading slowly around her toes. Her silver hair is gathered up and her cream cardigan is loose, and she smiles down at Maple while her hand rests lightly near the cat. Maple the tortoiseshell cat has a long, fluffy coat of black, brown, and copper, and her golden eyes glance out across the water. A basket, a water bottle, and a pair of shoes sit on the boards behind them. Dragonflies skim the surface, and the old boards creak softly under them.

Long-haired cats like Maple need regular brushing, since their fur can tangle and mat easily, especially after being outdoors. Many cats avoid water, so if she is by a lake, keep her on a harness and away from the edge. Offer fresh drinking water, and brush her afterward to remove burrs, seeds, and any dampness. A calm cat who enjoys being near her person can be a wonderful companion at the water, but let her set the pace.

Maple is keeping a safe distance from the wet part. Grandma lets her. The lake sparkles, the sun is warm, and nothing needs to be rushed. Cats and calm water make a nice quiet pair, as long as the cat stays dry.

Summer afternoons are meant for dangling toes.

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