Grandpa Shoveled the Driveway While Slate Took Over the Snowbank
Grandpa leans on his big black shovel in a plaid shirt, vest, and gloves, a patient smile on his face, while the driveway slowly clears. Slate has abandoned all dignity for the snowbank. She is crouched low in the powder with her tail tucked, whiskers dusted white, and gold eyes fixed on something only she can see. Bare branches and a wooden fence frame the cold, bright morning.
The snow is piled deep along the side of the driveway, bright white against the dark shovel, and Slate sits half sunk in it like a gray stone. Her whiskers have frost on them and her tail curls close to her body. Grandpa's argyle vest peeks out from under his jacket, and his cheeks look rosy from the cold.
Snow can be lots of fun for cats, but winter care matters. Short-haired cats lose body heat faster than people expect, so outdoor time should be brief and supervised, and a damp cat should be dried off warmly afterward. Rock salt and ice melt on driveways can irritate paws and make pets sick if licked, so wipe paws after a trip outside. Pets are also drawn to warm car engines on cold days, so it is a good habit to bang on the hood before starting a car. If your cat seems cold, shivery, or reluctant to walk, come inside and call your vet.
The driveway will be clear in a little while. The snowbank, though, belongs to Slate.
