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An elderly man dozes in a brown recliner with a gray cat sleeping on his chest near an old TV. 4 / 24

The TV Is On, but Grandpa and Slate Are Both Fast Asleep

AI imagerussian bluereclinernap

The television is still on in the corner, but nobody is watching it. Grandpa has tipped his head against the cushion, glasses slightly crooked, and his hands are folded over his sweater vest. Slate has stretched herself across the chair's arm and his chest, chin resting on the upholstery, eyes shut tight. Around them the room is pleasantly cluttered with books, plants, and a basket of blankets.

The room around them tells its own story: a tube television, a stack of magazines, a woven basket stuffed with blankets, and a plant soaking up window light. Slate's head rests on the cushion with her paws folded under her, completely relaxed. Grandpa's glasses have slid a little, which only adds to how peaceful the scene feels.

Cats are famous for sleeping most of the day, often around twelve to sixteen hours, and they love to do it somewhere warm and close to their person. A lap or armrest checks every box: it is soft, it is warm, and it smells like home. Sharing a nap can be calming for people too, and gentle companionship is one reason many older adults enjoy having a cat around. If you want your cat to rest comfortably, offer a few cozy spots around the house so she can choose. And if a cat suddenly sleeps much more or much less than usual, mention it to your vet.

The game show can go on without them. This is a two-member club, and today's agenda is rest.

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